Dusk has settled over the pack as I look out at the Golden Fang wolves that have gathered in front of the pack house, I smile at how they mingle and laugh, looking relaxed and carefree. It is a contrast from the scared and hypervigilant wolves I met four days ago and I am happy to see some sense of normality in their demeanor. The sadness caused by the death of their pack mates in the attack still linger in the air, but they have all have accepted this loss as best as they can and are slowly living their life once more.
Pups run around with a ball to the left while their mothers watch on sitting on the picnic benches that were taken out of one of the storage barns on Miss Asteria’s orders. Just a little further from the pack house, the aftermath of the attack barely remains. The last four days have been filled with cleaning, debris removal and pressure washing what can be washed. We even had the pups come in and help with painting a fresh coat of paint on the houses that could use it and have begun returning families to their homes. Golden Fang is on the mend and will soon get passed this rough patch.
“You’re late.” A voice calls to my right and I grimace, turning to face Miss Asteria who is followed by Gale. Their pups must be running around with the others somewhere nearby.
“Sorry. I was butchering today and realized a quick rinse wasn’t going to get rid of the smell.” I apologize, stepping forward to give her a hug. She chuckles as she wraps her arms around me, giving me a quick squeeze before releasing me once more.
“I see you still have the skills Knox taught you.” Gale muses, taking his turn to give me a squeeze as well. My heart twinges at the mention of my father and I find myself wishing he and my mother Talia were here.
“What can I say, it runs in the blood.” I joke back, trying my best to push the small pain their death still brings. The dam in my mind buckles, trying to release the pain of rejection through the pain of losing my parents but I push it back. Now is not the right time.
“You okay Bryn?” Gale asks, concern in his eyes. I give him a small smile, reassuring Gale and Miss Asteria that I will be once we are initiated into Golden fang when I spy the familiar red hair of Quincy, the wolf making his way over to us with a wide grin on his face. His eyes roam my body as he takes in the purple sundress I changed into. Something different from the overalls I have been wearing the last three days.
“Took you long enough.” He jokes, ruffling my hair when he joins the three of us. I growl at my friend, swatting his hand away and getting his deep chuckles in return.
“It took longer to wash off the scent of blood from butchering all day.” I admit, getting a nod from Quincy.
“Well, you smell better than you did earlier.” He jokes. I growl warningly at him, Quincy backing away in mock surrender while Gale and his wife watch on in amusement.
“Anyways, now that you three are here it’s time for our announcement. Follow me.” He is quick to change the subject, his eyes filled with laughter from teasing me, before he motions for us to follow him onto the front steps of the pack house. Excited to hear what this announcement is, I stand on Quincy’s left while Gale and Miss Asteria stand to his right. His eyes glaze over for a moment before I watch as the Golden Fang wolves slowly begin to come closer to us. Even the pups join the crowd, finding their parents as the chatter dies down.
“Our final wolf of honor has finally decided to grace our presence.” Quincy begins, sending me a wink. I roll my eyes at him, lightly shoving his shoulder and getting chuckles from the crowd.
“And she is not so happy with my teasing.”
“That’s because the poor girl has had to deal with it for three days” Odette calls out, making me laugh this time.
“Well, she’ll have to deal with it for a long time now since it is time we announce to Brynlee, Asteria and Gale what the wolves of Golden Fang have decided.” Quincy calls back, getting more laughter from the crowd and a confused look from my. Quincy gives me a smile before turning to face Gale and Miss Asteria, bowing towards them with the pack following suit and surprising me.
“Four days ago our pack lost our Alpha and Luna as well as countless members that were our friends and families. If you two has not come when you did, we would still be fumbling with trying to find our dead and heal our wounded.” His tone has changed from playful and light to solemn and respectful.
“For that, the wolves of Golden Fang ask that you join not as members, but as out Alpha and Luan.”
“Don’t you mean Luna?” Miss Asteria asks, placing a hand on Gale’s shoulder and making him stand straight again.
“No. You will be our Alpha, Asteria. And Gale would be your Luan – a male Luna.” Quincy clarifies. Shocked, I look to Miss Asteria who also has the same shocked expression as I do. We thought she and Gale would be regular members and help Quincy ascend as Alpha, but we have been totally wrong.
“What about you? Don’t you want to be Alpha?” I ask, stepping closer to Quincy and placing a hand on his arm. He smiles down at me and shakes his head.
“I don’t have the skill for it. Besides, I would rather be hunting and training rather than leading.” He answers with a laugh.
“Are you sure this is what everyone wants?” Gale asks, wrapping his arm around his Mate.
“It is. We need a strong Alpha and that is Asteria. No offense Gale.” Quest steps forward to answer.
“None taken. Even I know Asteria is the Alpha between the two of us.” Waving Quest off, Gale laughs at this statement before kissing Miss Asteria on the cheek. The Golden Fang wolves laugh at this and I smile. Miss Asteria is finally getting the title she deserves.
“So, will you lead us?” Quincy asks as the laughter dies down.
“I would be honored to.” The crowd cheers as Miss Asteria’s answer and I feel my smile growing wider. The future of Golden Fang looks brighter now that they have found their Alpha and I am happy for her to finally be leading a pack like Miss Asteria should have years ago.
“That just leaves Brynlee.” Quincy states, turning to face me and taking my hand.
“What about me?” Looking into his eyes, I see respect glittering in their depth as Quincy smiles at me.
“We want you to be our Beta.” Stepping back from the shock of the news, I look at Quincy, then to the pack, then back at Quincy. There is an amused look on his face as I try to process what he just said.
Me?
Their Beta?
“I haven’t stated my training yet!” I try to protest, looking to Miss Asteria for help but she just smiles and shrugs. It is clear she won’t help me.
“But the way you stepped in and helped with the menial work is what a Beta would do when the Alpha’s are handling the bigger projects.” Quincy retorts with, squeezing my hands gently in a reassuring gesture. I look back to the crowd, watching as they all nod in agreement. I just did what was right.
“But I have no experience.” I don’t know why I am fighting against being a Beta.
“Besides, Albert and Marisol are still healing in the pack hospital healing from the attack.” I continue. Quincy’s smile faulters at the mention of this pair. I have met the two wolves the day after Alastor came, wanting to express my sympathy for their loss and ask if they were still willing to train me after they have healed. Thankfully, they were up to training me still, expressing that I have potential form what they have heard from visiting pack mates and from then on, I would visit the pair once a day to check on them and bring them some treats the Omegas baked fresh in the morning.
“They Stepped down earlier today. The loss took a toll on them but they did tell me to tell you that they will be mentoring you as our Beta if you accept the position.” Quincy counters. Hit with this new piece of information, I free my hand from his grip and wrap my arms around me. What if I do something wrong and they banish me like Pine Moon did. What if I am not strong enough. I can feel the dam inside my mind bend, feel the pain seep out faster. I am scared of being abandoned by a pack again and I hate this feeling.
“We wont hurt you like they did Brynlee.” Quincy whispers, pulling me into his arms. His scent of citrus floods my senses and I focus on that to push away the pain and doubt. I am a Beta with Alpha blood mixed in. The Goddess chose me to be a Luna but my Mate defied that by rejecting me. I am meant to be a leader.
Taking on last deep breath, I pull away from Quincy and stand tall, my arms no longer wrapped around me. The dam has stopped trying to break open and I am able to think clearly once more. The wolves of Golden Fang watch me with hopeful gazes, their trust and respect for me clear as day. I know that I would break their hearts if I refused.
“Alright. I accept the position as your Beta.” I agree, the Golden Fang wolves cheering at my words.
“But I have one Condition.”