I felt all eyes on me, waiting to see if I decided to step through or spend the rest of our marriage outside on the porch. As appealing as spending time on this porch was, I knew I had to move forward. Home? Well, I hadn't quite gathered enough nerve for that. But, it turned out I didn't have to. Before I could even say something or move forward, strong arms nudged me from behind and gently pushed me to take a step
"Aren't you going to take a step?" Jason asked.
I nodded at him stepped into the house and turned to look around as I looked up into Lanny's laughing light green eyes.
"Your home looks nice," I whispered.
"Really? I'm sure this is nothing compared to your old man's house, ma'am." He raised his eyebrows at me, I'm sure they all had different thoughts at the moment, but I really didn't care.
"I do think your place is good though, you guys can stop looking at me weirdly please ." I stood and faced all of them, feeling self-conscious about how they thought of me and the new change.
'Alright, we should officially welcome you home before we do it with the elders later on" Fredrick said as he looked at his brothers, who gathered around me, forming a circle. Orion stepped forward, holding a small wooden box adorned with intricate carvings of wolves and the moon.
"This," Orion began, "is the Lupa's Embrace, a welcome home ceremony for new pack members done between the family before meeting the elders ."
My curiosity was piqued despite my nerves. I glanced at Fredrick, who gave me an encouraging nod.
Orion opened the box, revealing a delicate dark silver pendant shaped like a crescent moon. "This pendant is a symbol of your acceptance into our pack. Each new member receives one, and it is a sign of our protection and unity."
Caspain stepped forward next, holding a small bowl filled with a fragrant mixture of herbs and oils. "These herbs are from our ancestral elders. We use them to mark the transition from outsider to pack member." He dipped his fingers into the mixture and gently touched my forehead, leaving a faint, pleasant scent.
Tony, stepped forward next, he brought a small chalice filled with a glowing liquid. "This is the Moon's Blessing, a drink that signifies our bond under the moon's watch. We each take a sip to seal our unity as a family."
Each brother took a sip from the chalice before passing it to me. I hesitated for a moment but then drank, feeling a warm sensation spreading through my body.
Finally, Fredrick took my hand and led me to the center of the circle, his eyes glowed deep shimmering silver. "We howl together to welcome you, Blaire. It's a tradition that signifies our connection as a pack and our joy at your arrival."
As one, his brother's eyes glowed warm, radiant amber , as they lifted their heads together and let out a harmonious howl that echoed through the trees creating a mystical energy. At this moment, I felt a strange surge of emotions and power yet a comforting sense of belonging, as I joined in with my tentative howl.
When the howling ceased, Fredrick placed the pendant around my neck. "Welcome home, Blaire Marlowe."
I felt my eyes changing, as I turned to stare at the mirror beside me, my eyes had changed to a vivid emerald green. The bright green stood out against the silver and amber, highlighting my unique presence within the pack of brothers. It was as if the color represented her inner strength and wolf, and probably the new beginning, I was about to embrace.