"Today's the day you officially become a part of the pack!" Venus squealed. She pressed up against Serena and squeezed her arm tightly. Serena grimaced at the tight hold and squirmed.
"Yes, I guess it is, isn't it?" She hesitated. Her mind felt out of her body. Everything felt rushed. The council, the night, the brunch, and the afternoon preparations flew by faster than light. Eli and Atlas were scarce. Probably doing some Circle duties in preparation for the ceremony. The only wolves to keep Serena company were Venus, and of course, her new best friend, Albert Briar.
A loud, arrhythmic knock pounded on the door.
"Come in!" Venus yelled from behind Serena.
The door swung open wide, and the tall, spindly man ducked as he entered the doorway.
"Good afternoon, my fair ladies." He removed his hat and bowed slightly. "Are you ready, Serena? Tonight's a big night for you. Yes, a big night!"
Serena smiled awkwardly.
The room felt small, tight, and hot. Oh, so very hot.
"Y-yes, I am." She replied. A confident air was cast but fell short at Albert's feet.
The man drooped his head and hobbled forward, stopping short of Serena. He stooped to her sitting position and lifted his eyes to hers.
"My wife was scared when she had her ceremony." His voice was soft. His eyes grew vacant. As though the souls behind them were not really there, rather they were far off in his sea of memories. He pushed off his legs and rose to his full height. "She was a human much like yourself. A wonderful human indeed." He turned from her.
Serena's eyes shot toward his face. His face was sad, mournful, and longing. Tired beyond measure but his eyes were happy.
"Who was she?" She asked, turning her head only to have it forced back forward by Venus.
"Hold still. I need this braid to look flawless." Venus hissed into Serena's ear.
"My wife? She was perfect. Absolutely exemplary. Everything that a werewolf could want in a mate. She came from a city not far from here. She was a university student at the local college. Studying botany, actually. It's often an underutilized science, but more important in a society such as ours. I was the Delta at the time and had to go to the college to get a few resources for an attack we were planning on a rival clan-that's a different story." Albert spun around and swung his cane a few times before continuing. "I remember it as though it was yesterday." He closed his eyes and tilted his head toward the ceiling. "She was sitting in the grass at the plaza, skirt tucked under her knees and her red curly hair flipping wildly in the wind. One hand held a book open, and the other was digging around the university flower bed. She looked wild, free, and breathtaking."
"She sounds beautiful," Serena murmured, following Albert's movements with her eyes.
"She was." He dipped his head down and paced back and forth. "I caught her scent, and my wolf went crazy. He yelped and yipped like mad. He needed to get close. To know who she was and to be with her. All at the scent of some human girl. Of course, I ignored him. But only momentarily. I was there on business from Alpha Callan. That was first priority, and everyone in the pack knew that. He was not a man to be trifled with."
Venus snorted, which was rewarded with a glare from Albert.
"Long story short, I made every excuse I could after that day to see the girl at the local university. I needed to see some book, plant, or pack member. But soon, the excuses failed me. I needed to talk to the woman. One spring day, I managed to scrounge up enough courage to talk to her. She was sitting by the flower bed, planting some bulbs or seeds. I said, 'I see you're the one I have to thank for the wonderful flowerbeds the university has.' She turned toward me, startled at my voice, but smiled at me. She had beautiful freckles and amber eyes. But my favorite feature was the gap between her front teeth. She said, 'About time you introduced yourself.' I was caught. Hook, line, and sinker at that moment. I asked her out right there, and we were inseparable from that day on."
"That's wonderful. I'm so happy for you." Serena replied as she fidgeted with the hem of her shirt. "But why are you telling me this beautiful story?"
Venus began to say something but was interrupted by Albert.
"I wanted to tell you this because you might need to be the one to take the first step. Atlas has very little experience in this department. This pack is his life and his family, but you. You changed that. You are now his first priority, and he doesn't know what to do. You are different than us, and he's working on coming to grips with that. So be patient with his growing pains. But please do take him by the collar and drag him into place. He cares for you. I know it, the Elders know it, and she knows it." Alber pointed at Venus. He moved his finger to point at Serena. "Deep down you know it too."
Venus stopped her braiding and nodded.
"I've already said this, Elder Briar." Venus half rolled her eyes.
"Are you doubting my story and its effectiveness?" Albert clutched a hand to his chest in mock hurt. Venus chuckled and smiled.
"No. She needs to hear it from someone who went through it too."
"You are so right!" Albert cheered. "I'll leave you two lovely ladies to finish up. I'll be awaiting your riveting ceremony later this evening." He tipped his hat as he closed the door behind him. Venus and Serena sat in silence until it was time for them to head to the training grounds.
"You're going to be just fine. Don't worry about a thing, okay? Someone will challenge you and you will win. You have been training hard, and you will be rewarded for it." Venus gripped Serena's shoulders tight and stared into her eyes.
"Thanks, Venus." Serena smiled half-heartedly. Her stomach ached and flipped. Her heart pounded loudly in her chest, and the blood flowed rapidly in her veins.
Venus smiled, rubbed Serena's arms, and led her to the room off the training grounds, where she would stay until her long-awaited final ceremony.
The small, wooden room was cold, dark, and dusty. The cheering from the pack beyond the walls was dulled by the barrier but was still exceptionally loud. A loud bell rang and the cheers died to a low muffle. The sound of Serena's heartbeats bounced off the small walls and filled the rooms with its quick thooms. She gasped for short breaths and clutched her shirt.
"Welcome pack members to the approval ceremony of the human, Serena Clell."
Atlas' voice boomed over the empty arena and seeped through the cracks of the wood walls. Serena jerked her head toward his voice and her breathing steadied. She jumped to her feet and pressed her ear against the wall.
"Please welcome her with an applause." Atlas began to clap and soon there was thunderous applause vibrating the entire grounds. It erupted in stomping feet, howls, and cheers as he finished his sentence. Serena remained focused on Atlas as the sound began to muffle and die in her ears. It was as though the crowd was above the water she had just been plunged into. Distant but present. Present for one of her defining moments.
The front door dropped to the ground with a heavy thud. Firelight spilled into the small room and blinded Serena. She took a small step forward. And then another. Until she was standing on the edge of the dirt ring.
Atlas held up a hand and all noise ceased. The power he held became apparent in that moment. Serena's knees became like jello and bent at the sight of the man before her on the balcony. Tall, dark, and demanding respect and attention.
She gulped as his eyes met hers. They remained fixed on hers as he continued shouting his speech.
"Let's begin."