Blood

RORY

The day of the alpha ceremony, I head to the old pack house and let Everett handle all the setup. Jay and Lucy sleep in a sling, their heads on my chest, settled after their three o’clock meal.

I haven’t had a chance to introduce the twins to the spirits of the past yet, and I could use the calm myself today. I’m so full of nervous energy that I broke three mugs this morning making tea.

I stand outside the building like I did the last time I was here. It’s not any easier to sit or stand by myself with the babies in a sling than it was when they were still inside me.

“Hello,” I say. “Sorry I haven’t been by in a while; I’ve been busy. I brought the newest members of the Shadow Blood Pack with me.”

“This is Jason Zane Langdon. He’s being named the next alpha today.” I pat his head. I hate that we need to do any of this, that my children have spent every day of their short lives in danger.

“And this is Lucina Riley Langdon.” I put my hand on her head in turn. “I hope you’ll watch over them both and bless them with your wisdom.”

I stay for as long as my legs can take it, telling mundane stories about learning to nurse, how Lucina’s eyes are staying blue, but Jason’s are starting to turn green. Normal baby stuff.

At the end of it, I feel better, grounded by the focus on the mundane. As I turn to leave, I feel a chill on the back of my neck, a sense of a spiritual presence.

But when I look, I see no one, and no voices come to me. “Thank you,” I whisper, choosing to take it as a sign of support.

I head to the pack library to wait out the last few hours before the ceremony. Things are incredibly busy and chaotic outside as the preparations wrap up and the alphas gather in the square.

The last two alphas, Alpha Garth of the Blue Stone Pack and Alpha Alex of the River Rider Pack, have arrived, along with a few of their pack members.

Alex is a good friend of Everett’s, a fellow young alpha, and he’ll be the one to prick Jay’s finger for the ceremony and initiate him as an alpha. I like him, but it doesn’t make me hate it less.

“Hey, Rory,” Freya says, pulling me out of my thoughts. “Mind if I sit with you?”

“Of course not.” I shut the book in front of me. I wasn’t really reading it anyway. “What’s going on with you? I feel like we’re always talking about me right now.”

She shrugs. “Oh, you know, wedding planning mostly. I really need to get a dress picked. The day’s coming up fast.” Her leg bounces under the table, a nervous habit she’s had since high school.

I give her a sympathetic smile. “Getting a little bit of jitters?”

“Not about Ace. But yeah, I’m nervous about the ceremony, I don’t want to mess up in front of everyone. Plus, I need to apply to the university if I’m going to attend in fall…” She sighs.

I reach out to put my hand on hers. “I promise I’ll have more time to help you out soon. I want to be a part of your life, too.”

“I know, Rory. You’re always in my corner.” She laughs. “But I think we should get this baby-stealing drama handled before focusing on admissions essays and flower arrangements.”

“Fair enough,” I say, wishing she wasn’t right. I hate not having time for her.

“Hey, ladies.” Everett pokes his head in and gives me a grim smile. “It’s time.”

Freya takes Lucy from me since she can’t be with us during the ceremony. I take Jay, ensuring he’s wrapped snugly in his blanket so he won’t be too cold.

I join Everett up on stage. “Thank you all for joining us for this Alpha Circle,” he says to the crowd. “I want to acknowledge the unusual and troubling circumstances that bring us together today.

“The Red Moon Pack seeks to take my children and my mate away from me. They claim this is lawful, but I do not believe so. I will do what I can to refute their claim.

“My son will be named an alpha, and my heir, in accordance with ancient tradition, but will not take over until he is of age and I have stepped down.” The group nods, generally approving.

Everett holds out a dagger. “Alpha Alex of the River Rider Pack, I, Alpha Everett of the Shadow Blood Pack, call upon you to initiate our next alpha in honor of our friendship.”

“It would be my honor. May our packs be allies for many moons more.” He takes the dagger from Everett. The thing is huge and incredibly sharp. I can barely look at it.

Everett turns to me. “My luna, Aurora, will present Jason Zane.” I step forward, moving the blanket with trembling hands to reveal his tiny fingers. Nausea squirms in my stomach, but I try to hide it.

Alex holds up the dagger. “I call on the gathered alphas to witness the naming of another of our ranks. May his blood be strong, his leadership true, his courage unwavering.”

“We welcome our new brother and ally and accept his blood as our fathers did for us,” the alphas all respond in unison, including Everett.

Alex takes Jay’s hand with the utmost care and barely presses the edge to the tip of one of his fingers. It’s no worse than a vaccination, but it takes all my energy not to flinch.

Jason wails, and my heart breaks. He waves his tiny hands, distressed, and I can’t look away from the blood welling up from the cut.

As suddenly as the crying started, it stops, Jay sniffling but settled. I take his hand to check on the wound to find it completely gone. I gasp and meet Everett’s gaze. “He’s healed himself,” I say.

Everett takes him from me and holds him above his head. “This is your next alpha, a healer! He will lead you well!” The alphas all cheer.

Finally, the ceremony is over, and I can bring my shoulders down from around my ears. I’m stiff from all the tension. I’ll really need to stretch tonight. I take Lucy back from Freya and kiss her head.

There’s a feast and dancing to celebrate Jason’s initiation. Music is playing and the square is lit by lanterns. Everyone’s cooing over Jason, impressed by the demonstration of his abilities.

The sounds of the party stop, and I see all the wolves turning their heads, catching the sound of something that I can’t quite hear. My anxiety immediately kicks back in and I look for Everett.

He and Jason are standing across the square, too far for me to get to before the noise reaches my ears too—the roar of car engines. Three of them pull up alongside the square and wolves jump out.

It’s the Red Moon Pack, led by Martha. “We heard you were having a party. Since the new mother is well enough to participate, she must be well enough to travel.”

“We have another month,” Everett growls, glaring at her.

“For recovery. She looks recovered to me.” Martha crosses her arms. “We demand the return of Aurora and her children to her rightful pack. Now.”