“Do you, Kaylee and Lucas, vow to lead your pack with honesty and fair judgment?” Amos asks, his words sounding lyrical.
I peeked under my lashes, my eyes widening when I noticed a white light surrounding him. It extends to Kaylee and past her, most likely moving to surround our packmates.
“Yes,” Kaylee answers. I fumble momentarily, amazed by the aura I am seeing, but manage to compose myself before the magic begins to waver.
“Yes,” I reply, closing my eyes and blocking my view of the white light. I need to focus on the ceremony.
“Do you promise to govern your people and lead them on the path of light so that the Goddess may bless them?”
“I promise.” This time, Kaylee and I answer simultaneously, the magic from Amos growing stronger. It’s warm and inviting, the light I felt earlier beckoning me like a moth to a flame—a flame surrounded by other lights, lights I recognize as the members of Oak Fur behind me.
“Finally, do you, Kaylee Kingsley and Lucas Rider, swear to uphold the laws set forth by the Council of Werewolves, to keep our secrets safe and protect each wolf, no matter their status?” The final question is asked, the lights of the others behind us becoming so close. All we need to do is answer.
“I, Lucas Rider, swear to uphold the laws set forth by the Council of Werewolves. To keep our secrets safe and protect each wolf no matter their status.”
“I, Kaylee Kingsley, swear to uphold the laws set forth by the Council of Werewolves. To keep our secrets safe and protect each wolf no matter their status.”
Magic flows into my body, and the warmth and acceptance from those behind Kaylee and I take my breath away. I feel each connection snap into place and hear the thoughts of each new wolf who falls under my care as alpha. It boosts my power as analpha, and beside me, I can feel the same sensation happening to Kaylee.
Silence settles over us, the only sound coming from the rustling of the wind through the pine tree. And then the feeling is gone. I take a moment to process what just happened and make a note to ask Kaylee if she felt and saw the same things I did or if it is just part of the powers I inherited from my mother.
When I feel like I’m ready, I open my eyes to see that the pine tree is glowing slightly. Its light is warm and welcoming and reminds me of my mother. I hope she’s watching over us now and seeing the wolf I have become.
“Rise, Kaylee Kingsley, and Lucas Rider,” Amos calls out, taking a step back and grinning widely.
“Rise and face your people as alphas of your new pack, Gilded Moon.”
80
Kaylee
“Alpha Kaylee!”
I turn to the sound of my name being called, my hands cradling my stomach, to see who is calling me. Running towards me from the direction of the packhouse is Riley, the teen pup waving his right hand as he carries a basket to me. I grin, shaking my head helplessly at the pup, and wait for him to reach my side.
“Riley, you know you can just call me Kaylee,” I say as soon as Riley stops before me, the kid panting from running so far.
“I know, but it’s fun calling you Alpha.” I chuckle at this, ruffling the teen’s hair.
“So, why have you come to find me?” I ask, turning back to open the door to the greenhouse.
“I heard you were picking berries and wanted to join in,” Riley sheepishly admits, rubbing the back of his neck. I chuckle again, motioning for him to follow me inside as I waddle into the warm building. Taking off my winter jacket, I place it onto the coat hook and grab a spare basket from the shelf on the side.
Three months have passed since becoming one of the alphas of Gilded Moon, the name we chose to erase Oak Fur from existence. In that time, we’ve changed the pack from the ground up, starting with hunting, gathering, and patrolling schedules. At first, everyone was hesitant, but once our packmates started to see the results, whether that be a fuller food reserve or growing stronger, everyone became open to the changes.
The next step was completing the two greenhouses and four farm fields. Unfortunately, it was too late in the season for us to plant anything in the fields, but David had come by on the completion date, not only bringing my belongings from my cottage back at Ivory Fangs but also berry bushes that we had grown there. He helped plant them inside the first greenhouse with Lucas and four of our omegas while Amelia and the pups kept me company.
Today, they’re finally ready for their first round of harvesting. With Riley by my side, we slowly walk through the greenhouse, picking raspberries, blueberries, and blackberries from the bushes. The strawberries aren’t ready yet.
“I thought I would find you here.” With a handful of blueberries in my mouth, I turn to find Lucas walking towards me with a smile.
“You should be relaxing. You’re six months pregnant,” he says with a helpless sigh, reaching down and grabbing a handful of berries from my basket.
“I was resting, but there’s only so much work I can do on the computer before I get antsy,” I say through a mouthful of berries, getting a chuckle from both Lucas and Riley.
“Well, I have a surprise for you. Riley, do you think you can finish berry picking alone?” Lucas asks, turning his question to the wolf at my side.
“I can, Alpha Lucas,” Riley answers. Lucas nods, his smile growing wider at being called alpha. After throwing the berries into his mouth, he takes my hand and leads me back to the greenhouse entrance.
