The full moon hangs high in the sky as Quincy and I exit the pack house. From the steps I can see Miss Asteria and Gale standing beside Alastor under the willow tree, the Council Representative having come down to watch over the ceremony and confirm that the pack indeed had chosen a new Alpha and Luna – Luan in our case. Quincy tells me that Alastor has already helped initiate Gale and Miss Asteria into the pack, hence why the atmosphere was left buzzing with power that radiate from the two. Before leaving the pack house I spied Chase, Henry and Lunette relaxing on the stairs. They will have to be initiated into the pack after me and I can’t wait to watch the three pups finally be given the courtesy they deserved as Alpha blooded wolves.
The smile at me as I pass them, and I smile back. I can see the excitement in there faces and secretly pray to the Goddess that she will keep them safe tonight. They have been through so much between living in Pine Moon and leaving Pine Moon that I just want them to be happy.
“Stand up straight.” Quincy whispers low enough for just me to hear. I straighten my posture as the two of us walk down the steps and towards the willow tree.
Golden Fang wolves stand on either side of a small walkway, their eyes on me as they send smiles my way. Miss Asteria and Gale stand to the right of the tree, the new Alpha and Luan radiating with power. Something inside Miss Asteria has changed and I am happy for it. She always deserved being a leader of a pack and its about time she gets this position.
Quincy and I stop just before the Alpha couple and I lower myself to my right knee as Quincy takes his spot just behind Gale.
“Brynlee Eclipse.” Miss Asteria calls my name, the power of an Alpha radiating through the clearing. I shiver, my blood humming to accept the warmth I feel as my Beta blood strains to accept the bond that is forming.
“You kneel before me with the intention of becoming my Beta. Is this correct?” She asks, my body humming.
“This is correct, Alpha.” I respond, my smile growing.
“Then do you promise to lead as my second and strive for the betterment of our pack?” Miss Asteria calls out.
“I promise.”
“Do you swear to uphold pack laws and protect those deemed weaker than you?”
“I swear I will.”
“Do you, Brynlee Eclipse, accept me, Asteria D’Artagnon, as your Alpha?” The final question. My blood hums louder inside me, the power that I have gained from my ancestors reaching closer to Miss Asteria. I raise my head and look to see her staring down at me, pride and love in my god mother’s eyes.
“I, Brynlee Eclipse, accept you, Asteria D’Artagnon, as my Alpha and true leader. I will stand beside you through the good times and bad of our pack.” My power clasps onto the power Miss Asteria radiates and like a switch, I feel the bond click in. I close my eyes as the rush of pack magic courses through me, mixing with my blood and giving me a sense of security and belonging. I can hear everyone’s voices congratulating me through the link and I thank them all before shutting the pack link off for now.
Then I feel it. A bond that wasn’t there before.
Shocked, I look to see Gale and Miss Asteria staring at me, tears in their eyes. Miss Asteria falls to her knees before me and pulls me into her arms, her rose perfume surrounding me.
“You formed a familial bond with us during the ceremony.” She states before I can ask what happened.
“Now, no matter what, we will always have a mind link.” She whispers, wiping away tears from my eyes. Family. I accepted Gale, Miss Asteria and the pups as my family.
Wrapping my arms around Miss Asteria, I burry my face in her shoulder and sob. I lost the familial bond link when my parents died. There was a space in my mind empty and blank. Like a cell phone number that I always called was suddenly disconnected with no explanation. Now I feel it. Feel the familiar love that Gale, Miss Asteria and the pups have for me.
“Miss Aster-”
“No more of this “Miss Asteria” shit, Brynlee. Call me Aunty or Asteria from now on.” She pulls away to scold me and I laugh, feeling the love Asteria has for me.
“Okay.” I concede, feeling a shift in my relationship with these two wolves.
“Thank you, Asteria and Gale. Thank you for being my family and being there for me.” Gale sniffles back his own tears and helps me and Asteria to stand reminding us that the pups need to be initiated into the pack. I move to stand beside Quincy who gives me a quick hug and I notice that many of the Golden Fang wolves have tears in their eyes.
Chase, Henry and Lunette come filing out of the pack house with Quest’s guidance. The come to stand before their parents and Asteria asks them similar questions to mine. Their blood hums with the power of Alpha wolves, only more subdued as they have yet to shift. Then there they were inside the pack link, excitedly talking to the rest of the pack mates. Gale and Asteria walk their pups through how to close each link for a moment while we watch on. The moon has shifted meaning that the ceremony is almost over.
Alastor steps forward, clearing his throat to gather everyone’s attention.
“It seems the wolves of Golden Fang have chosen wolves perfect to be their leaders.” He begins, his eyes scanning the gathered wolves.
“Now, before we conclude the ceremony, I would like to ask the wolves of Golden Fang if they want the new Alpha to keep the pack name or change it to signify a new start in life.” I smile at this announcement. Quincy, Asteria and I discussed the possibility that the pack would choose to change the name. Golden Fang was weak. Was attacked and nearly annihilated in twenty-four hours.
“We wish for a new name!” Someone calls without hesitation.
“Yes! we need a new name!”
“Golden Fang is dead, give us a new name Alpha.”
“We want to be reborn into something new!”
The crowd calls out their need for a new name. For a fresh start. Quincy nudges me and I look to see his brows raised and a smirk on my pack mate’s face. Giving him an eye roll, I ignore him and keep my eyes on Asteria. She steps forward and raises her hand, the crowd quietening down.
“My pack mates.” She begins once she has everyone’s eyes on her.
“I hear your request and I agree. Golden Fang died the day you were attacked. Together, we have rebuilt our pack from the ground up. We made changes together without hesitation and you are right, we as a pack need a new name.” Her voice is calm and steady as a soft smile graces her lips. She turns back and gives me a wink.
“From now on, we will be called Crescent Phoenix.”