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Game of Destiny
Chapter 19-1
The pack formed a circle around Amie and me. A bloodening was always a special occasion. A wolf swearing loyalty to me and the pack was a big thing. This ceremony was one thing I loved about belg the Alpha. But standing in the circle facing Amie felt special In a different way. She looked stunning in her dress, with her hair let down and her green eyes sparkling in the light of the fire. My feeling of puzzle pieces coming together as she joined the pack was ronger than ever.
“We are here tonight to open our pack and welcome a new member to our fold. Armeria Rose Sage, Amle, you have come to us to Join our pack. Do you come to us with good intentions, ready to join bur pack and strive for a better life for each and every pack member?” Lasked her. She looked me in the eyes, something that was rare for me as an Alpha, but appropriate for the moment.
“I do,” she answered in a clear voice and I could see how serious she was.
“Blue Mountain pack, does anyone raise their voice with an objection to why Armeria Rose Sage should not be allowed to join us?” asked the pack. I let the seconds tick pass in silence: I could feel the pack through our bond and I knew not one of them had any hesitation about Amie joining us. But it was part of fire ritual and Injoyed the dense silence. When I was satisfied that we had given it enough time I smiled at Amie and handed her the ceremonial knife. It was carved from the antler of a deer. The first kill I had made after we had established our pack land. The deer horn was embedded with a row of sharp flint. Amie took the knife and without hesitating she cut a line from her right elbow to her palm.
“1. Armeria Rose Sage, ask to join the Blue Mountain pack,” she said and reached out both her cut arm and the knife, I took the knife and cut my right arm just as she had.
“I, Finlay Nero Cadwick, Alpha of the Blue Mountain pack, accept you as a member of our pack, 1 said and grabbed her right Just under her elbow. Our wounds lined up and she grabbed my arm. As hers was shorter than mine, she didn’t reach all the way my elbow, I could feel her blood mixing with mine. Our eyes locked as we stood and let the magic happen,
“Do you swear your loyalty to me and my pack?” asked her.
swear my loyalty to you and the pack,” she said. I felt the pack bond snap into place with her words. We released each other’s arms and I watched hers to make sure her wound healed.
“Let’s welcome our newest pack member!” I called out to the pack. There was a loud cheer and the circle of pack members crumbled as they all walked forward to greet Amie. I stood and watched how Cadence hugged her and then stood by her side as the rest of the pack hugged her, or shook her hand. Aunt Matilda joined me after a while.
“Good job,” she said.
“It’s not my first bloodening.” She e rolled her eyes.
“I wasn’t complimenting your ceremony skills,” she told me. “Good job with getting her to join our pack, silly.”
“Oh. Right. Thank you.” She shook her head and kissed my cheek. “Time for a pack run!” I told everyone. The pups, teens, and the older wolves headed back to the pack house. The rest of the pack stripped and shifted. I led them in a shorter run. I wanted everyone to be able to join the entire run. We paused at the outcrop over the river. I pulled my head back and howled. The rest of the pack joined in and among the wolves I recognised Amie’s howl. We set off towards the clearing. I had let the pack members run alongside our newest member during the first part of the run. Now I could join her and trot alongside her for the final part without feeling I blocked the others‘ access to her.
“How does it feel? I asked her in a mindlink, enjoying the fact I could now communicate with her in wolf form. She looked at me and I could see the joy in her eyes.
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Game of Destiny.
Chapter 19-2
“Amazing. I had almost forgotten what it feels like to be part of a park. The bond and the constant connection, she told me. We got to the bonfire and everyone headed for their pile of clothing. Amies down and didn’t seem to be in any hurry to shift back. She sat in her wolf form, her tongue slightly hanging out and watched eryone around her.
“Tired?” I asked, feeling worried I had overdone it with the run. It was ensy to forget that she was new to shifting and hadn’t had time to develop her stamina yet.
“Not at all. I could go for another run. I’m just taking in the moment she told me before shifting and slipping on her dress. I chuckled as I made sure everyone was accounted for and ready to head for the pack house, Martin, Sam and Medow joined Amie and me as we headed for the dining room. 1 knew the pack had prepared feast during the day that the ones who didn’t run with us would have put out. I was starving, as always after shifting and I was looking forward to the food. I smile as Medow hooks her arm in Amie’s. The two have become close already, and I join in with Main as he tenses Sam.
“Looks like you have been traded in for a newer modet: Your mate seems to have a thing for redheads,” Martin told Sam.
“Maybe she is collecting you,” I added. We both laughed at the hint of jealousy that flashed in Sam’s eyes before he quickened his steps and walked up to Medow’s other side and took her hand,
“Don’t tease him,” Medow scolded us. “I just had to have a matching pair. But Sam will always be my mate,” she added, giving him a kiss. We all laughed, even Sam. As we got to the dining hall in the pack house, a buffet with heaps of food had been set up. As Alpha, T was to take my portion first. I took a plate and loaded it with food. The pack then waited for Amie. She looked a little unsere at first, but gave in and took a plate of her own. After that, it was a free for all and the tables filled with food were soon Surrounded by hungry pack members. Instead of sitting down to cat, everyone walked around and talked, rubbed shoulders with each other, and made sure the pack bond was strong. Amiq had Cadence as a shadow when she moved around. I watched as she made sure he was included in the conversations and took time to give him attention. Cadence’s father had made sure with both me and Amie that she didn’t mind having him around. But Amie liked the pup and I just found the whole thing adorable.
It was a little after midnight and the party was winding down. I had one outside to the back porch of the pack house to get some air while the last members of the pack remained. I heard Amies footsteps, it was easy to know it was her now that we had the pack link, even if her footsteps were almost silent.
“Am I disturbing you?” she asked.
“Not at all,” I said and gestured to the other deck chair next to the one I was sitting on. She sat down. “What’s up?” I asked.
“It’s my brother’s birthday in a couple of weeks,” she said. I remember her telling me about her tradition.
You want to continue posting your cards?” | asked.
“Yes.”
“Don’t you think they y would respect that you have settled down into a new pack?” I asked.
“Probably. But for now I’m not ready to take the chance,” she said. I nodded.
“Just let me know what day and where you’re heading. If you don’t want to do it by yourself, you have options to bring someone along now, I told her.
“Thank you. But I don’t think I would be good company. I will do it on my own,” she insisted. I nodded.
“Just make
sure to check in regularly so we know you are safe.
will. Thank you. There was a long stretch of comfortable silence. The new moon was approaching and the brook was lit only by
the stars.
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Chapter 19-2
“Time to head to bed, Red. Txpect you to be in the conference room directly after breakfast tomorrow. Time to start your new job,” I finally told her. She laughed.
“Yes, Alpho,” she said and got up. The way she used my title always did something to me. I did my best not to let it show. “Sleep tight, Finlay,” she added.
“You too, Red. Welcome to the pack. I’m happy you’re one of us.”
*50 am 1.”
Chapter Comments
Sfayz
a nice slow burn. I hope it is
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