Michelle had retreated back to the confines of Luke's bedroom and sat beside his bed, her head resting on the space on the bed.

It was only a matter of time before Samson came with the Pack Healer and one of the Pack Elders.

She was happy that everything was going according to plan and there were no hiccups. If she remembered correctly, everything was going too well. Too well if she thought about it.

All she hoped was that the ceremony be a success. They've been telling everyone that the ceremony was for newly mated wolves and new moms. The other Alphas even asked at some point where the new moms where since the newly mated wolves were present, but the moms were not.

Samson had told them they were not allowed to step outside before babies reached three months. It was half a lie. The moms at Black Moon were not supposed to step outside until their babies were a month old. This was done to protect the babies since they believed that the air outside was dirty, dirty as in having too much bad energy.

Samson and his mate had made sure everyone was seated before having a welcoming speech and some members serving them a feast. They ate 'til they couldn't anymore, drank 'til they realised they couldn't get drunk because Black Moon had provided non-alcoholic drinks. It was a feast. The only disappointment was when Alpha Rolus arrived two hours late. The young man approached her later in the day to apologise for his tardiness and said they could not find their car keys. He was kind enough to apologise, that was enough for her to overlook his tardiness.

Samson did mention to their guests that when it was dark and the moon was nearing its peak, they would begin the The Chase. The Chase was where the wolves would run and go hunt in the forest, the first one to reach the Eclipse cliff with their prize (any animal) would then climb on the cliff and howl at the Moon, an offering made to the Moon Goddess with the hunted animal. The Chase would begin at precisely six in the night.

But before that, the Pack House needed to be cleansed.

Downstairs, Samson, the Pack Healer and Elder were each holding a plate with burning dried herbs. They then blew the fire out and the room was becoming cloudy with the smoke as time passed. They separated to cover more ground, with the Pack Elder going in each room on the first floor, except the hall, making sure that the smoke reached every room. The Pack Healer went to the second floor and Samson went to the third floor.

The third floor was where the Alpha's room was, together with the former Alpha's and former Luna. Samson made sure each room on the floor had enough smoke. He skipped Luke's place because he was not supposed to go there alone. He needed the Pack Healer to perform what he needed to.

The warriors on the hallway were excused, together with the ones at the door and the ones in the Alpha's room.

When the Pack Healer and Elder arrived, together with Samson, they went into the Alpha's room. They found Michelle asleep, but she quickly awoke when she felt people in the room.

"You have everything you need, right?" she asked, stepping aside to let the Pack Healer pass. He had a leather bag with him. The Healer nodded, then took off his shoes and sat down on the floor. He opened his bag and took out a plate, then put it on the floor. He took out some dried herbs and put them on the plate, then lit.

The room instantly smelled, making Michelle cough into her sleeve. The Pack Healer blew the fire out because he only needed the smoke. He spoke into the smoke, saying something akin to prayer to the Moon Goddess.

Samson coughed, the smoke too much for his already sensitive nose. He pulled Michelle to his side and put his arm around her, then they both covered their nose.

When the Pack Healer was done talking to the smoke, he stood up and talked some more, going around the Alpha's bed, making sure the smoke engulfed the Alpha.

The Pack Healer spoke whilst rounding the bed multiple times whilst Michelle and her mate watched. The Pack Elder was going around with the plate of smoke in the other rooms of the Alpha's space.

When the Pack Healer was done, he instructed the former Alpha and Luna to take off their shoes and come closer to their son's bed and kneel down on the floor. They did as they were told, then they were instructed to say something to the Moon Goddess as the Pack Healer had somehow opened a spiritual pathway to the Moon Goddess and she could hear the cries of Her children.

Samson said all he wanted, wanting the Moon Goddess to have mercy on his son. He apologised on his son's behalf for all the mistakes he made and trying to stake his claim on the Creek Pack. He wanted his son to meet his mate and for his mate to accept him. He wanted harmony in the Black Mook Pack and to also maintain the peace.

When they were done, the Pack Healer gave them something in a bottle to drink. The drink was too bitter to the point that it gave them chills.

When they were done, the Pack Healer advised them to start The Chase before the smoke in the room dissipated.

They didn't ask any questions because all they needed was for this ceremony to end so that they could know if anything worked. They did believe that everything would work out, but they left room for disappointment.

When they were downstairs, they found Beta Peter about to come upstairs.

"Sir, the other Alphas are asking for you. They are wondering when we're starting with The Chase," he said, following the former Luna and Alpha towards the front door.

"We're starting now. Go and gather everyone now. And please hurry, we're running out of time."

The Beta nodded, then jogged outside, making sure that everyone outside had assembled and awaiting the arrival of Samson and Michelle.

When they arrived outside, Samson nodded his head to the Alphas. He stepped up on the rock in front of the guests and the Pack members.

"Earlier I mentioned that we will have The Chase. We are going to begin now and you all know the rules. Some of you might feign ignorance, so, let me remind you. First of all, no killing each other. You can fight all you want, but no killing. Secondly, don't take another's prize. If one found their prey, don't try to take it. Move on and there are many animals in the forest. Thirdly, we all shift, no exception. We can't have anyone of you murdered because you didn't shift. I think those are the important ones. Now, you can all strip and put your clothes in your cars because we really don't have clothes to donate. Whoever is ready can start. Have fun with The Chase!"

Everyone cheered, some even starting to strip. Samson jumped from the rock and before he could try to join everyone, Rolus was already by his side.

"The Chase, really? Why am I hearing about this for the first time? Why didn't you tell us that there was The Chase?" Rolus gritted out, so mad at Samson. His 'minions', that's what Alpha Shaw called them, were by his side, all looking worried.

"I told everyone earlier. You were late and I'm sorry for forgetting to let you know. But I hope it won't be a problem, right?"

Rolus crossed his arms over his chest, saying, "It's a mess! I can't join you for The Chase, I'm really sorry."

"Everyone of our guests has to participate. Saying you can't is just an excuse. We are all doing The Chase! Now, if you'll excuse me," he smiled, then proceeded to the other Alphas.

Samson approached the other Alphas, immediately noticing they were ready. It was dark, but their enhanced eyesight was enough to see perfectly. When they transformed, their eyesight would be improved further, enabling them to run freely.

Michelle was reluctant on leaving her son and participate on the The Chase. Before she could be upset any further, Samson called her over, where they were getting ready to run into the forest.

"Are you ready?" he asked, pecking her on the cheek.

"Yeah, I guess."

The other members and the guest warriors were running into the forest in human form, only going to transform when they were deeper into the forest.

"Fuck it, I'm going. I can't wait any longer!" Alpha Zelda exclaimed, then ran into the forest. Leticia followed with a laugh.

Alpha Christian looked at Samson, then smiled and also took off. Alpha Shaw grumbled, but then also followed suit.

"What are we waiting for?" Samson cooked his head to the side, asking his mate.

"Nothing. And be careful, okay?"

Samson nodded, then took off with his mate by his side.

They ran into the forest, wheezing past trees and jumping over fallen branches and stepping on wet leaves. It was too humid, but nothing anyone couldn't handle.

Ahead of them, they could see people transforming into their giant wolves, bigger than the regular one.

Michelle was the first to transform, jumping on one of the fallen trees and leaping midair, then did a flip, landing down as a grey wolf, continuing her run.

Samson followed suit, transforming into his black wolf, with brown patches on his tail and neck.

He dodged trees, jumping over logs and rocks. Samson had blocked all communication and only opened one for his mate.

"Good luck," Michelle mind-linked her mate.

"Do well too. And make sure to try your best to win. We need to offer that sacrifice to the Moon Goddess ourselves. I did brief the Pack that if they too happened to win, they should wish well for the Pack," he replied, passing one of the Alphas. Was it Alpha Shaw or Christian? He couldn't really tell because he was focused on The Chase.

"Be safe."