She picked up the ceremonial knife off the table, holding it across both her palms. Turning to her father she recited her lines. “Alpha Stephan, are you here of your own volition to step down as Alpha, naming your son and heir as Alpha of the Wandering Moon Pack?”

“I am.” Stephan proudly announced, holding out his hand over the chalice.

Amelia took hold of the knife, pressing the blade into the soft flesh of her father’s palm. Making quick work of it, she swiftly sliced into his skin, blood instantly welling from the wound. Stephan held his hand over the chalice, allowing his blood to pool in the bottom of the cup.

“Do you, Damon Smoke, son of Alpha Stephan, promise to uphold pack tradition, abide by the laws decreed to all werewolves by the council of elders, and perform your duties to the best of your ability?”

“I do.” Damon said, his words ringing over the chilling silence.

“Do you swear to always put your pack first, conduct yourself with honor and integrity befitting a wolf, and lead your pack with strength and valor?”

“I do.”

Damon held his hand out as well, giving his sister a small smile before she cut into his flesh. He turned his sliced palm over, allowing his blood to mix with his fathers and pulled his hand back, his wolf already healing the cut. Amelia picked up the chalice, holding it delicately with both hands. She held the chalice in front of her, the moon reflecting off the deep red surface.

“With the blessing of the Moon Goddess and the rights being read, Alpha Stephan and Alpha Damon will now drink from the chalice, completing the bond, from Alpha to Alpha.”

Amelia handed the chalice first to her father. He took a long drink from the golden cup, blood staining his lips. He passed the cup to his son, not showing a hint of disgust. Damon took the chalice, bringing it to his lips and finishing the ritual by consuming the remaining blood. The blood was vile, his gag reflex starting to kick in but he swallowed it all down, refusing to show any hesitation.

As the last bit of blood passed through his lips he felt a surge of power coursing through his veins. The mind link transferring from his father to him. He was now able to hear every member of his pack, and could feel every single one of them, from the youngest pup at his mother’s breast to the oldest elder. Just as the bond completed, his pack members bowed down, resting on one knee, their heads bent in submission. The visiting Alpha’s and their members bowed their heads in respect.

Amelia bowed down on her knee, the same as every other member of their pack, proudly submitting to him as Alpha beside her father.

Damon stepped forward on the stage, signaling them all to rise. “Thank you everyone. I promise to be the best Alpha I can be. I will bring honor and integrity to our pack in all matters. I will protect us till my dying breath.”

The pack all stood up as one before they broke out in cheers. Some congratulated him through the mind link, while the rest hooped and hollered, pounding their fists in the air.

“Now we complete the ritual with a pack run!” Amelia hollered, stepping up beside her brother, holding his hand.

The Wandering Moon Pack members began to prepare for the run. Some women stepped behind the tree line to remove their clothes while the rest of them stripped where they stood. Nudity was no new thing in a community of werewolves. Damon and Amelia stepped off the stage, making their way to the center of the gathered pack members, most already shifted into their wolf awaiting their Alpha’s command.

Amelia could feel eyes boring a hole in her back, waiting to see what she’d do but she could have given two craps for his opinion. Damon and Amelia quickly stripped out of their outer layer of clothes, dropping them on the floor next to them, leaving them only in their undergarments. She could hear a deep growl from behind her but she ignored it. They both simultaneously shifted into their wolves before their pack.

Amelia shook out her fur, rolling her head around, relieved to be in her wolf form. Rey was bouncing on her feet, reading to follow her brother on their run. She looked over to her brother. He was an annoyingly large wolf, even for an Alpha, with dark silver grey fur, but lucky for her she was the same size as him. Normally this wasn’t typical for females but for her it was. Her and her brother stood shoulder to shoulder equal in size and strength. The only difference about them was their fur coloring. Her brother was a darker shade of gRey while she had a silver white coat, the moon reflecting off her smooth fur.

She could hear murmurings behind her, only her own pack members had seen her wolf. She knew she had a beautiful, rare wolf. It wasn’t typical for wolf colorings to be so light, but for some reason, hers was.

Amelia followed behind her brother as he took the head position of the pack, leading them into the forest. She could sense the pack members falling in line behind them. The only one that was allowed to run beside her, just behind her brother was Dominik, her brother's best friend and future Beta.

Damon made sure not to run too fast, to ensure the pack was able to maintain ranks and keep together. Whether they were running fast or slow, Amelia just enjoyed the feeling of the wind pushing through her fur, the brilliant smells of the forest and observing life through her wolf’s eyes.

The run didn’t last long. They were all itching to get back and start the celebration. They jogged back into the large clearing behind the pack house, some already shifting back and pulling back on their clothes. She had torn her undergarments when she shifted so she knew she’d be naked when she shifted back. It didn’t bother her, but clearly her new mate didn’t like it.

He suddenly appeared in front of her, holding out a large, white robe. She cocked her head at him, a glint in her eye. Her pack surrounding her were watching with interest, wondering what this new Alpha had to do with her. Her brother stood beside her, his side pressed against hers, showing her, he had her back. She quickly nipped his ear playfully before allowing her wolf to shift back into her human form.

Amelia stood in front of Gabriel, her brother turning his head as he covered her back half. Gabriel just stood frozen, staring at her bare-naked body.

“My eyes are up here.”

Amelia just makes me smile. She has no fear and brimming with courage.

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