Standing under the willow tree in the same white dress I wore on my own initiation, I watch as the Pine Moon refugees line up before us, their excitement filling the air. Crescent Phoenix has grown because of them. Because they wanted a fresh start and a safe place away from Valor and Tanya. All of this was thanks to Rune finally growing a back bone against Valor too.
My eyes scan the crowd and I notice Rune instantly. His scars have healed up a lot more since we returned from Onix Moon. They are starting to fade and I have a feeling it is because I am starting to forgive him. He did what he did to protect Pine Moon and I can’t fault him for that anymore. It doesn’t stop me from being afraid to try again though, but even I can feel that things have shifted between us once more and I am starting to see him as a friend.
“Welcome everyone.” Asteria steps forward, a smile on her face despite the stress we have been under.
“As many of you know, nearly a month and a half ago we started opening Crescent Phoenix to those in search of a second chance. Now, we have a group of wolves that have waited patiently for their second chance.” She continues, her blood humming as she releases the power of an Alpha over the crowd. It feels warm and welcoming, something that causes my own blood to hum with power that mingles and merges with hers.
“Today we welcome them into Crescent Phoenix. They have proven to be true to our pack and it is time they become a part of our family.” I step forward, a list of names in my hand that begin to read. A woman named Charyl is the fist to step forward with her daughter, the little girl looking up at me with big bright green eyes. I give her a smile before she turns to look at Asteria with the same curiosity she gives me. Since she is under the age of fifteen - the age a wolf gains a pack link and the hormones grow stronger for the shift begins - the little girl won’t need to cut her hand and become initiated into the pack as she is too young. Instead, as soon as her mother accepts Asteria as her Alpha, the pup will feel it too and be part of the pack through her familial bond.
“Mommy, why are you cutting your hand?” The little girl asks, causing the on-lookers to laugh.
“It’s so that mommy can join the pack. See, Alpha Asteria did it too.” Charyl explains, nodding towards our Alpha. The littler girl turns to look, disgust on her little face at the blood that makes Asteria and Charyl laugh before the two she-wolves grasp each other’s hands. The link vibrates until I feel Charyl’s presence with a smaller hum attached. That small hum will turn into a link its own for the pup when she comes of age.
The ceremony continues, each wolf stepping forward as their name is called. It makes me smile with each new hum that joins the pack link, their excitement clear for us to feel.
Asteria is going strong, her hand being cut over and over again to connect the bond between the pack and those joining but there are a few that accept her without the need of cutting their hands. I think back to my initiation. How I never had to cut my hand to form the bond and wonder if it is because I already considered Asteria my Alpha, my family.
Maybe those that don’t need to forge a bond through blood feels the same way.
“Caspian Kane.” I call out, watching Caspian stride forward, a smile on his face. He kneels in front of Asteria, bowing his head. I can feel his blood call out to Asteria’s, a grin spreading on my face.
“Caspian Kane, you bow before me with the hopes of joining Crescent Phoenix as a Hunter.” Asteria begins, surprising me. I knew Caspian was fast and on the lanky side, but I never thought he would choose a hunter role.
“I do.” Caspian answers, his blood pulsing with power.
“Then, do you swear to provide for the pack as a Hunter?”
“I swear to provide for Crescent Phoenix.”
“Do you swear to protect the pack from dangers should the need arise?”
“I do.”
“Finally, do you, Caspian Kane, accept me whole heartedly as your Alpha and leader?” Caspian looks up at Asteria, theirs eyes meeting in a way that I can only describe as pure trust. I can feel her power reaching for his and so can the rest of the pack by how they shiver. Caspian and I have the same heritage so of course his power will be as strong as mine.
“I accept you, Asteria D’Artagnon, as my Alpha and Leader and swear my loyalty to you.” He states calmly. I feel a snap in the pack bond as Simons presence joins the link. It is bright and friendly, just like his personality. Asteria and I turn to look at one another in amusement. Caspian didn’t need to cut his hand like I thought. He stands, coming to stand beside me for a moment, his eyes filled with relief and happiness.
[Now I am stuck in your head again!] He links me, making me laugh.
[I can still block you out.] Is my answer before I shut out his link, getting a playful growl in response. I shake my head in amusement as Caspian returns to the crowd and join the others. He quickly finds Odette and wraps her in a hug. Asteria and I will need to talk about promoting her now that she has grown stronger being Mated to Caspian.
Looking down at the list of names, I freeze when I notice that there is only one name left.
“Rune Sterling.” Rune steps forward after I called his name. His blood is already humming with the power of a pure blooded Alpha, but it is subdued under Asteria’s power. He looks at me, a smile on his face as he kneels before Asteria, head bowed in respect.
“Rune Sterling.” Asteria starts, her voice calm with a hint of pride hidden in the depth.
“You came to Crescent Phoenix in the beginning not to join it, but to make sure your fellow pack mates found a pack that would accepts and protect them. Is this correct?” She asks, her voice carrying over the crowd.
“It is.” His voice is neither quiet nor loud and full of respect.
“Now, you wish to join Crescent Phoenix as a Warrior, willing to put your life on the line if need be to serve and protect those weaker than you. Is this correct?” Asteria’s blood throbs as the power within meet’s the power of Rune’s head on. I shiver, my own blood humming stronger as our energies fill the air. All eyes are on the three of us but I focus on my Alpha and my Ex-mate. It seems that Rune is not fighting back being as he is an Alpha, but accepting and even reaching out for Asteria, wanting to be accepted by her.
“This is correct.” He answers. I shiver again, his voice deep and mesmerising. The Mate Bond hums, wanting to reach out and accept Rune but I hold back. I am still not sure how I feel about him, but I am happy to be pack mates again.
“Then do you, Rune Sterling, Accept me as your Alpha and Leader and do you swear your loyalty to the pack and the bonds it provides?” Asteria asks, her eyes filling with tears. Rune looks up, his eyes meeting my gaze first as he sends me a questioning look. Its as if he is asking if I am okay with him joining. I find myself nodding, sending him an encouraging smile before he breaks our eye-contact and turns to look at Asteria.
“I swear my loyalty to you as my Alpha and to Crescent Phoenix as my pack and family.” His words seal the fate as I feel his power clasping onto mine and Asteria. The Mate Bond mends a little more and after probing it, I realize it needs just a little push to mend completely. I am shocked when his bond clicks into place on the pack link. It is bright and welcoming, commanding respect. But it slowly is subdued as if accepting it’s new spot on the pack hierarchy.
Asteria helps Rune to stand, her tears flowing as she pulls him in for a hug. His shoulders slump with relief and without a second thought, I step forward and place my hand on his shoulder.
“Welcome to the pack, Rune.” I congratulate, watching as he pulls away from Asteria to turn to me.
“Thank you. I am happy to be here.”