My dad stepped on the wooden stage and took the microphone from its stand, raising his hand over his head signaling that he wanted to speak.
After a few seconds everyone on the lawn and the surrounding woods fell silent. Then my dad's deep voice boom across the the lawn and through the woods around the pack house.
"Ladies and gentlemen I want to thank everyone for coming out tonight.I would like especially to give my pack members a special thanks for coming out on such short notice. But don't worry if your friends or neighbors have the Cubs tucked away in the bed and couldn't make it. The ceremony will still be lieve steamed for those who couldn't change their plans and for our elders who don't get around very well anymore. It will also be available on the pack website tomorrow morning. Now without any further delay let's all give Shaman Hugo a warm welcome."My dad tilted his head back with a low, deep howl. Then the whole pack joined in. Howls erupted through the forest shaking the leaves from the trees and echoing all the way through the streets in town.
"AWOOOOOO"
After the howling stopped Shaman Hugo stepped up on the stage wearing his official
long black ceremonial robe with a stole draped around his neck. It looks just like the ones a priest the wears.The only difference is Instead of a having a cross embroidered on it his has the moon,wolves,and stars.
He picked up a hand full of herbs off the table and threw them into the ancient stone bowl Silver sparks popped into the air and the flames turned green. I suspect he threw in some powered aluminum he had mixed in with the herbs for a dramatic affect.
My talk with Aiden has made me suspicious.I took a deep breath to see if I could detect the scent of pot. Nope no pot.
Shaman Hugo began to chant in some ancient language as he held his hands high in the air and looked at the sky.The wind picked up a bit blowing the leaves on the tree around .
Then he brought his hands back down and spoke into the microphone " The Moon Goddess has blessed this ceremony." And without warning he tilted his head back and howled at the moon. The pack joined in and another loud course of howl shook the forest.
"AWOOOOO"
Now it was show time! I picked up my girls hand and kissed her knuckles. Stepping over beside to the stage I waited for my dad to join me. We stepped on the stage together and faced Shaman Hugo.
Shaman Hugo threw more herbs into the stone bowl and spoke to my dad in an official tone "Alpha RykerJames Randolph do you willingly and without reservation hand over your power and position as Alpha of the Starlight Pack to your only son and rightful heir Alpha Zachary Matthew Randolph.
" I do" my dad murmured and Shaman Hugo threw some herbs on the fire making the flame grow higher. A little breeze swept across the lawn shaking the leaves on the trees and I took another whiff. Still no pot.
Shaman Hugo murmured " The Moon Goddess accepts this passage of power.
Shaman Hugo then asked me " Alpha Zachary Matthew Randolph as the only son and rightful heir of Alpha RykerJames Randolph, Alpha of the Starlight Pack .Do you willing accept the responsibility and position as Alpha of the Starlight Pack."
" I do" I murmured, Shaman Hugo threw more herbs into fire and flames grew higher and higher .The wind picked up swirling the the leaves and smoke from the fire around. Then my head tilted back on its on and a deafening howl ripped from my throat with the whole pack joining in .
Howls echoed through the forest shaking the trees. They traveled through the valley and up the road into the town shaking the ground and rattling the glass in the windows.It was the loudest and best thing I have ever heard and I could actually feel the excitement of my pack members.
" AWWOOOOOOOO"
After the howling stopped my grandpa Lewis passed dad a bottle of champagne.He popped the cork and sprayed me down right on the stage. After I was soaked down good he pulled me in for the biggest hug ever.
The crowd and the pack were going wild cheering, some whistled ,some applaud, and some even chanted my name. I could really feel there emotions, they were happy to have me as their Alpha and I really hoped they could feel mine also because this is one of the most important and exciting weeks of my entire life.
After the cheers and excitement died down I couldn't wait any longer to see if I actually got the ability to speak through the mind link with the whole pack.
' This is your Alpha speaking' I said through the mind link hoping this is actually how it works 'I want to thank you for your support and let you know, I will do my very best to be the Alpha each and everyone of you deserve.'
My pack responded with another massive howl "AWOOOOOOO"
'Please continue to enjoy yourselves there is refreshments for everyone set up on the driveway here in front of the pack house. There is also more refreshments,live music,and games for the Cubs set up on the football field at the high school. I hope everyone has fun tonight and I will see you at the parade tomorrow.'
" AWOOOOO" another massive howl erupted making my heart swell with pride and gratitude for all the wonderful people in my pack.
After speaking to my pack through my newly acquired Alpha mind link I turned my attention to the guest on the front lawn.
Throwing up my hand just like my father had done earlier I waited for everyone to settle down before I began to speak " Ladies and gentlemen, I would like to thank each and every one of you for your support tonight .I hope we can continue to be allies and friends far into the future. And for those who would like to get better acquainted with me. I want you to know my doors are always open and any questions you might have I will be glad to answer. Thanks again and please continue to enjoy your evening."
Placing the microphone back into the stand I scanned the crowd and find my girl setting at the table surrounded by my grandparents. What the fuck is up with that? I wonder.
Stepping down from the stage I make my way over to the table and stand behind her. Hoping to rescue her from this integration of eight powerful Alphas. But to my surprise my girl didn't need to be rescued.She had all my grandpa's praising her beauty and all my grandma's praising her intelligence.It also seems like they are impressed by her background.
Come to find out both of my great great grandfathers and Andie's great great grandfather Hunt all moved their whole packs West together during the Golden rush in California around the year 1842.
Both of our great great grandfathers formed their own mining companies .Werewolves from the East and Midwest joined their packs to work in the mines making their packs some of the largest and most profitable in history.
Both sides of my family have continued in mining branching out into the oil industry. They moved their packs from California to Alaska and Montana following the gold rush and that's how they found themselves living in those states.
Andie's family stayed in California because her great grandfather started taking care of the miners who fell ill from the poor living conditions humans couldn't tolerate. He started making herbal medicines and disturbed them to all the mining camps around the area.
Andie's great great grandfather continued to mine while his son attended the first medical school to ever be established in the State of California at the University of California in San Francisco. He attended medical school and continued making herbal medicine building up his company through mail order catalogs.
Andie's grandfather, Alpha Lucius father went to college and became a pharmaceutical scientist expanding the company into modern medicine. Alpha Lucius has continued to grow the company through the latest research and technology making himself a very wealthy man.
" Zack, When are you going to introduce Andie to the Pack?" I heard grandma Clara ask
I didn't have to even think about this before responding " Tomorrow at the parade."
" Don't you think we should get busy planning her Luna ceremony?"Great grandma Kate ask making me wonder if she actually knew how old Andie is.
" Grandma, Andie and I can't get married yet it's not legal she's only fourteen." I tried to explain.
" What's being married have anything to do with becoming your Luna?"Grandma Kate ask,with a sharp edge in her voice.
What the Fuck! Grandma Kate is never snippy, sure she has that death glare and her disappointed look but she never actively voices any of her disapproval.
" Well I don't really know grandma, I thought the pack might think ugly things about mine and Andie's relationship if she becomes my Luna before we get married." I murmured,
Picking my words carefully. Hoping grandma understood ugly means fucking.
"Pish posh!" Grandma Kate hissed waving her hand dismissively "Being your mate is enough for her to become Luna. No marriage certificate can compare to the mate bond and every werewolf knows that. So if that's your worry don't give it a second thought those same people that would think something so vile about their Alpha will have the same thought just as soon as you introduce Andie as your soulmate."
I cringed at the thought of anyone thinking such a disgusting thing just because Andie is my soulmate. I could even feel a bit of discomfort coming from Andie through the bond. Placing my hands on both of her shoulder I massaged them gently hoping to reduce the tension she was feeling as I thought intently on what to do.
Should I keep the fact that I found my soulmate a secret until Andie turns eighteen? Or should I do what every other Alpha does and introduce Andie to the pack tomorrow and start planning her Luna ceremony? I glanced around the table finally realizing the answer was right in front of me. As retired Alpha's and highly respected elders with about a thousand years of experiences between the eight of them surely they can help me figure out how to handle this delicate situation. Well it can't hurt to ask.
"So do you all think I should introduce Andie tomorrow and plan her Luna ceremony in the next couple of months. Even though we can't get married?" I ask glancing around the table at each of my grandparents to gauge their reaction.
"My mother never married my father until I was about thirty years old. But she was definitely his Luna and Andie should take her place next to you just as quickly as possible."
Grandpa Harry was quick to share his thoughts.
"Zack darling," Great grandma Anna called my name to get my attention "when I was a girl Werewolves didn't ever get married.The mate bond was all that was needed." She waved her hand dismissively like what she was saying wasn't important taking a different direction. "Anyway darling, I can't ever recall anyone having the nerve to ask an Alpha about private matters between him and his Luna. Your Luna is to be respected ,If anyone dares to be so bold that person should find themselves in a world of pain. So yes,I think you should definitely have Andie's Luna ceremony quickly as possible.That way you are making it clear to everyone that Andie is to be respected."
Grandma Victoria was nodding her head like a bobblehead doll " I agree, the sooner the better you don't want people to think you don't have faith in Andie." Grandma Victoria leaned over the table whispering like no one could hear her "That could lead to the pack not respecting her, it could also spark rumors of you using Andie as nothing but a young plaything."