When the chants and cheers simmered down, Alpha Gabriel took his seat on the throne for the first time as the pack bowed.
"Today is a great day and I'm deeply grateful. Thank you to everyone here today. The message from the ancient Alphas is a reminder that,it won't be all easy but together,we will prevail. My reign would be filled with great things and more peace, however,there may be threats but we will conquer".
"For now,we will celebrate a new era. We are great today!", Alpha Gabriel said thunderously.
"We are great today! We are always great!",the hall echoed, then the celebrations began.
The once quiet hall became bubbling with cheers and loud laughter. The music sounded from the loudspeakers and one could barely hear themselves. Rachel sat beside the Alpha when he rose from his seat and took her to the center for a dance.
Alpha Max joined them with Helen and so did Ethan and Accalia. Others joined the dance and when the tempo of the song increased to an upbeat tune,the old Alpha displayed his cowboy moves and became the center of attention,as people clapped and cheered.
Soon,the young fire dancers joined in, showcasing their talents and skills. Helen excused herself, to check the food when she walked in on some young werewolves making out with each other. She cleared her throat,and the youngsters snickered and ran off.
Helen shook her head,then continued to supervise the meals before she was joined by Accalia."Need help?",she asked.
"Ahh! Right on time. Yes please. Do you think the meals would be enough for everyone? We have more guests than expected", Helen said regrettably.
"It's fine Helen. It'll be enough. I know we might even have leftovers", Accalia encouraged her.
"Okay.. okay. Please help me with those plates", Helen said, feeling more relaxed.
After Accalia gave her the plates,they were about to head back to the hall when she heard her favorite rock and roll tunes, blasting from the speakers. Accalia squealed and dragged Ethan to the dancefloor to display her moves while everyone cheered.
Ethan tried to get Accalia off the floor but she resisted. Suddenly, everyone was wowed to see Ethan join her dancing and even did some flips and stunts,with ease. The crowd erupted into excitement as the couple showed off their dancing.
Helen rushed to Rachel's side gleefully and said, "Who knew that it would take Accalia to get Ethan out of his shell".
"I know right! She's just perfect for him. Look at them!", Rachel said in admiration.
Ethan and Accalia kept dancing and when the deejay slid in a calmer tune, Ethan spinned her and drew her closer to himself,then in the presence of everyone,he kissed her,as everyone watched lovingly. Everyone but Penney.
"Oh my gosh! He's marking her off publicly", Helen whispered to Rachel who was smiling sweetly at them.
"They're so cute..can't wait for this union to blossom..", Rachel tried to say when they heard an angry sigh and stomping of the feet a few meters from them. They turned to see who it was and it was Penney.
"Girl! What's her problem?", Rachel asked surprised.
Helen rolled her eyes and laughed evilly before replying. "Well,not everyone is happy that Ethan has found his mate,after such a long time of seducing the man", Helen explained.
"What? Is that what that was about? C'mon! Accalia is Ethan's mate. I'm sure hers would come soon", Rachel said almost feeling sad for her
"Not for girls like Penney. That girl is just.. You know what? Let's forget about that. I'll love to join the dancefloor, dancing with my best friend and Luna", Helen said, offering her hand to Rachel.
When Helen and Rachel joined the dancefloor, Ethan excused himself to get himself a drink, while Accalia danced with her friends.
"If I didn't have my man, I would be jealous of you right now", Helen said to Accalia.
"You look beautiful too, Helen. And so do you,my Luna", Accalia said, laughing.
For Ethan,he stepped out of the hall to get some fresh air on the porch behind the house with a glass of whiskey. He spotted different couples in the dark corners, making out and whatnot. It was a festival,so some werewolves from other packs got the opportunity to meet with beautiful females from other packs.
"Mind if I join you?", Ethan heard Gabriel say.
"Yes my Alpha. I'd be honored", Ethan replied bowing slightly. Ethan was a very respectful and loyal werewolf and Gabriel would never have chosen anyone else as his Beta.
"It's a beautiful evening,if you ask me. I mean..I,as your best friend all these years, didn't even know about those crazy dance moves in there. All it took was a woman to get you hyped up for a dance"", Alpha Gabriel said and they laughed.
"I'm sure I embarrassed myself out there. Accalia is such an influence on me", Ethan said smiling.
"A good influence, Ethan. I like her. After all,she made my best man do the duck on water moves", Alpha Gabriel joked, imitating Ethan's dance moves earlier.
"I would never hear the end of this", Ethan laughed, rubbing his head.
"No you won't, my friend. It's officially the story I'll tell my kids when I want to put them to bed", Gabriel said.
"Haha! I'm certain you will. Cheers to you and congratulations my Alpha!", Ethan said, raising his glass of whiskey.
"Cheers my man!", Gabriel said and they clinked their glasses,then drank its contents.
"I'll see you around. Let me see how my fair lady is doing", Alpha Gabriel said referring to Rachel.
"Yeah..go ahead. I don't feel alone any more. I have my own woman now", Ethan jokes, waving at his friend who wandered off.
Ethan gulped his drink and walked back to the hall. He was certain, Accalia was looking for him and he missed her too. On his way through the passage,he was suddenly dragged into the dark parts of the tall vine trees.
"What the..?",he fumed at the intruder.
"I'm sorry..but this is the only way that I could get your attention. You seem to be all over that new wannabe", Penney complained bitterly.
"Look.. she's not some wannabe. She is my mate and we'll be sealing it soon", Ethan said slowly, trying his best not to scream.
"But I was here first. I'll go a thousand miles for you. Why can't you just see that? I'm in love with you", Penney said emotionally.
"I appreciate our friendship but that's nothing more. Not then,not now,not ever. It's Accalia. I understand how you feel,but I'm sure you'll find a guy that deserves you just as much, okay?", Ethan appealed, placing his hands on her cheek.
"No..I don't want anyone but you. What does she have that I don't? Or is she using a spell on you?", Penney asked angrily.
"If she was, the feelings I have for her could be broken. But it isn't and so the only thing that can break my love for her is death. She is my gift from fate", Ethan said.
"No she's not. And sooner than you think, you'll see for yourself, that she isn't an angel as you fantasize", Penney said and stomped off in fits of anger.
Ethan stared at her blankly and shook his head. He dismissed it and ran back to the hall.