Since it was a restricted beach, it was not surprising to find that the beach was devoid of any visitors. The temperature was rising slowly but steadily. The warm rays of the sun had previously warmed the sand, making it pleasant to walk on, and the waves that were rolling in sparkled in an alluring manner. Towels were spread out in the sand after Rosalie and her friends had chosen places to sit down and relax.
After removing her clothes, Rosalie sat down next to Janet and Ashley. They didn't even bother bringing a swimmers with them. They were completely at ease when naked, just like other wolves.
Rosalie heaved a sigh of contentment as Ashley and Janet rubbed sunscreen all over her body. "This is nice," she said.
After a while, the three of them marched into the water, ignoring the chilly water that lapped at their bodies. The waves were negligible, so they waded out until they were up to their armpits in salty water. Rosalie floated lazily in the water, chatting about nothing, splashing at each other, and joking around.
"Tell me about the pack," Rosalie asked the girls.
"You will love it here. Alpha Alex is nice. He is pretty easygoing, but he is tough when required."
Rosalie had concluded that much.
"We'll have a party this evening when you will be formally introduced to the pack. Our parties are really fun." Janet beamed.
"I have never seen our alpha so happy. He was very lonely after a tragedy five years ago," Ashley added.
"What tragedy?" Rosalie asked, curious.
"There was a rogue attack, an awful one. We lost many pack members. Alpha Alex was very depressed after that. But things got better as the years passed. He has never been so happy until now," Ashley concluded.
Rosalie experienced a pang of pity when she thought about Alex. He would have been just 19 years old five years ago. It would have been challenging to go through such a traumatic experience at such an early age. After being outside for a good couple of hours, Janet finally mentioned that she was feeling chilly. Feeling sufficiently refreshed, Rosalie and the girls dressed and returned to the pack.
*************************
When Rosalie peered out of her window, she saw the group of people moving towards the clearing that was in the woods. While others were still in their human form, some had already transformed into wolves. When Alex's hand came to rest on her shoulder, she jerked back in surprise.
"There's no need for you to be so anxious, sweetheart." He lowered himself until he was whispering in her ear. "Do you trust me?"
She spun around to face him and hugged him tightly around the waist. "Yes, I trust you more than I've ever trusted anyone in my life, Alex. I can't wait to meet the pack. But I am not sure if I am fit to be a Luna." The ease with which her body conformed to his. It appeared they had known each other for years rather than days.
Alex offered reassurance to her by telling her, "I'm sure you'll do fine, Rosalie." She was unaware that, after mating with him, they had shared not only their bodies but also their souls and their strength. She had the same level of strength as any other alpha female at that point. In a similar vein, she would quickly understand how much they were in sync with one another.
"It's time for us to be on our way, Rosalie." Alex slid an arm through hers and smiled. They walked out of the main door and into the compound.
Rosalie noted everyone's cheerful expression as she walked along. All the packs had a reason to celebrate during the pack get-togethers. It wasn't just a routine thing to do. It had to do with the family, with being together, and with celebrating who they were as a unit. She was compelled to give in. She couldn't help but smile at herself once she saw everyone else doing it. Even though the nervousness was still there, it was now accompanied by excitement regarding the events that would take place tonight. Her connection to Alex would become even stronger, and she would formally take on the role of Luna for the pack.
The sun was positioned so that it was directly above the eastern mountains. It was now or never. As the cubs raced between the adults on their way into the woods, the excitement that was building up around them could be felt by the cubs, and their laughter could be heard reverberating between the buildings. It appeared as though the entire pack had arrived, and they were waiting in anticipation for the official word. It was safe to begin the hunt.
Alex and Rosalie entered the clearing near one another. Instantaneously, the wolf pack fell silent, and all eyes turned to follow the Alphas as they made their way to the large rock formation that was on the eastern side of the clearing. Alex ascended the rocks and reached the highest point possible. As the pack kept their eyes on him, they noticed the moon rising in the shape of a crescent just above his head.
"Greystone Pack. We are here to celebrate our new Luna." He stopped while the wolves howled in triumph in front of him. He grinned.
"We celebrate the new members of our pack." Those in human form clapped and smiled at the newly mated couples, other than Rosalie and Alex.
"We are here to celebrate new lives to come." With that, he looked at the pregnant female wolves, who had their hands held protectively over their stomachs. This time, when the wolves howled, it was louder and lasted longer. This was the future of their pack. He pulled Rosalie up on the stone and announced.
"On this joyous occasion, let me introduce my mate Rosalie Murdoch to you. Your new Luna."
The pack cheered harder.
"Now let's prove to the moon that we are worthy of her guidance and protection." With a nod, he sent the hunters on their way.
He gave the command to Rosalie, saying, "You will lead the females."
She gave a tense nod in response. She nodded nervously. She climbed down off the rocks. This was the first hunt she would lead, and she was anxious. Rosalie could feel all the pack's female members' eyes boring down on her. A hint of gold could be detected when the sun hits them. She was significantly younger than most of them. How in the heck could Alex have put his faith in her to take charge of the hunt for the females? What if she messed up completely?
"I really ought to have dressed more formally." She was thinking to herself. She deeply regretted being dressed in a short denim skirt and a white top without sleeves. But if she had been dressed in something more formal, they might have misunderstood her and thought that she was going to be a very bossy bitch. Several ladies smiled at each other in amusement. She chuckled to herself as she realised she was now the joker of the group. What a fantastic way to establish her reputation!
When one of the more experienced females sensed Rosalie's reluctance, she laughed and said, "Rosalie, child, we do not bite."
'This is so wrong. I shouldn't have allowed myself to become this nervous. I am the Alpha Female now; I need to act like one before one of the rebellious wolves gets ideas and challenges my position,' she thought determinedly.
Although her mating with Alex had cemented her position as the Luna, this pack was still composed of wolves. In this world, only the hardiest and healthiest individuals survive.