THE ALPHA STEPS DOWN

422 Words
AMELIA’S POV The days following Jackson’s shift were worse than I could have imagined. Madison wasted no time twisting the story of what happened in the woods, making sure everyone believed her version of events. “She’s dangerous,” Madison told anyone who would listen. “The Moon Goddess probably cursed her family for her mom’s betrayal.” Even without proof, her lies spread like wildfire. Everywhere I went, the pack members made their disdain clear. “Stay away from my kids,” one woman hissed at me in the market. “Why hasn’t the Alpha banished her yet?” another muttered, loud enough for me to hear. The only people who didn’t treat me like a pariah were Alpha Damian and Beta Alex. Whenever they were around, the pack fell silent, and no one dared say a word against me. “You need to stay strong, Amelia,” Alpha Damian told me one evening when he found me crying behind the pack house. “The truth will come out eventually.” His words were kind, but they did little to ease the ache in my chest. A month later, the pack gathered once again, this time for a ceremony even more important than Jackson’s shift. Alpha Damian was stepping down, passing the mantle of leadership to his son. The tradition was an ancient one, steeped in symbolism and ritual. Once the new Alpha was sworn in, the former Alpha, Beta, and appointed elders would leave the pack lands for six months, giving the new leadership time to settle without interference. I dreaded their departure. Without Alpha Damian’s protection, I knew my life would become even harder. The ceremony was beautiful, with the elders reciting prayers to the Moon Goddess and offering blessings for Jackson’s reign. When it was time for Alpha Damian to officially step down, he placed his hands on Jackson’s shoulders, his voice filled with pride. “Lead them well, my son,” he said. “The pack is your family, and their safety is your greatest responsibility.” Jackson nodded solemnly, though the flicker of smugness in his eyes didn’t escape me. As the ceremony ended, the pack celebrated with a feast. I stayed on the outskirts, watching as Jackson basked in his newfound power. Madison was glued to his side, her laugh ringing out obnoxiously every few minutes. The next morning, Alpha Damian, Beta Alex, and the elders left the pack house. The air felt heavier in their absence, the weight of Jackson’s leadership settling over everyone.
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