Chapter 6
1273 Words
After the funeral, the whole pack is quiet. I'm in the backyard of the packhouse, lying on the mauled
grass.
I love how it smells.
I feel serenity deep in my heart. It's a beautiful feeling.
I sense someone's presence, and I snap my eyes open.
" Hey, Crystal," I smile. She returns it and lies beside me. We are silent until she breaks it.
" I'm going away,"
I sit upright. What does she mean?
She chuckles. " Not for good," I sigh.
" I'm going to visit my mom," I nod. A change of scenery will be good for her.
" You won't be here for the wedding,"
She shrugs her shoulders.
I can't have one of my bridesmaids not attend.
" But you're my bridesmaid,"
" You have Naomi," she retorts. I sigh.
" I'll try to be here by then," she reassures me.
We get up from the ground and head back to the packhouse.
Everyone is running frantically, and Nana is busy giving orders to the staff. Today is the swearing
ceremony for the new alpha, Josh.
I smile and text him; I raise an eyebrow as his response comes quickly.
" Hey, babe," I smile, reading it out loud. I turn to Crystal, who is lost in her thoughts. She's looking out the window in admiration.
"What time are you leaving?" I ask her.
" Tonight, after the ceremony," she answers without looking at me. I peak at what she is staring at and
smile,
Lavender and Mark are some of the few who found their mates and can't separate.
I used to long for a mate and hated that I would never have one, but now, not anymore. I have Josh; he has chosen me as his forever.
The couple we were looking at entered the house; they waved and proceeded to their room.
" Did they mark each other?" I ask.
Crystal nods.
" Good for them," I sigh.
Later in the evening, we pick an outfit to wear to the ceremony.
I'm wearing a long blue sleeveless dress. It has a high slit at the front. I smile as I look into the mirror.
The dress beautifully complimented my brown skin, and I wore my curly hair in a neat style, adding gel to the edge.
Naomi inspects my hair and frowns,
" Aren't you going to straighten it today?" I raise my eyebrows at her.
" Why would I?" I question. She smiles.
" Last time you did because Karen's words got to you," I shake my head negatively.
" It was just one time!" I say defensively. " And no,"
I love my hair the way it is and wouldn't change it.
I look so much like my mother this way.
" You're so beautiful inside out," she says quietly. "Honestly, I don't know how you do it,"
" Thank you," I strengthen my back and raise my head confidently.
" Have you found the makeup?"
Naomi has finished my makeup, and I get up to do hers.
I curl her hair and help her with her jewelry.
" It's not right," she mutters, looking at her eyebrows. I get a tweezer and pluck some of her hair out.
" b***h!" She hisses in pain.
I laugh and continue to get ready for the ceremony.
Naomi seems hesitant to go out. I squeeze her hand, and she smiles at me.
" Lucy.. um," she starts but stops. I can tell she wants to say something, but she's holding back.
" Yes?" I say expectantly.
" You look beautiful," she says with a smile.
" You too," we walk outside the packhouse, in the ceremony's backyard.
The garden was beautifully decorated with lovely blue lights hanging in the trees; there were chairs and
tables where each family would sit.
They have put them in order, starting with the alpha's family, beta, gamma, warriors, and other
members.
The omegas are busy bringing things out and ensuring everything is where it should be.
The guests are still coming, and Dad walks on stage when the seats are filled, commanding
everyone's attention.
Josh walks onto the stage. He's wearing a blue suit, and his brown hair is sleek.
" Ladies and gentlemen, I'm pleased to hand over my Alpha title to my beta and future son-in-law, Joshua,"
Kamala," My dad says, looking at Josh with pride.
The crowd cheers; everyone loves and respects him.
My father raises his hand and continues,
" I'm most happy to say that he and my daughter are to marry in a month so that they can lead as one,"
The alpha announces; the crowd cheers and claps louder while some girls scowl, and I sigh.
I'm not too popular with the ladies around here.
One of the pack elders on stage got a small dagger and cut my father's palm, drawing blood.
I scowl; I hate blood; I even feel dizzy.
Elder Happy cuts Josh and presses his palm against Dad's, fusing their blood.
The crowd once again erupts in cheers, and they bow to their new alpha as the exchange of power takes
root.
Josh greets the other five elders on stage with them before hugging my father.
After the ceremony finishes, people dance, drink, and eat. I'm at the buffet, deciding whether to get green beans or peas.
" Aren't they the same?" I ask Naomi.
" Can I have a Greek salad?" She asks for an omega and then turns to me.
" Nope, I don't even... wait, is that plain yogurt?" She goes away,
" Can I have.." I smile before I finish my sentence. Josh's arms wrap around my waist.
I hand the plate to the chef and turn to him.
" Hey, Alpha," I whisper in his ear. He growls against my neck in approval and kisses my lips.
" I love hearing that from you," he says in a husky voice. He suddenly twirls me around and pulls me to
him.
" You look lovely today,"
" When don't I?" I tease, and he laughs. I ruffle his hair. Josh looks happy today, and I'm most happy to
see him like this.
We walk a bit further from the dancing crowd, hand in hand.
" Are you ready for the wedding?" He seems surprised by my question and stops walking.
I'm looking Josh in the eyes, checking for something. I groan inwardly. What do I want from you?
" Yes," He answers after a short silence. We chat for a bit, then walk back to everyone.
Josh takes me to the dance floor; we dance to many songs, and the atmosphere is joyful.
I can hear howls of happiness miles away.
My pack is happy; I slip away from a now-drunk Josh to look for Dad, and I find him talking to one of the
elders in hush tones.
" Dad?" I call; he turns to me with a gentle smile plastered on his lips.
" Pumpkin," He extends his arms to me, and I jump into them like a kid.
I'm twenty, yet I feel like a five-year-old in my father's arms.
We stay in an embrace for a long time.
" Is everything alright?" I inquire. I can sense his anxiousness.
" Yes, pumpkin. Now run along," Dad pushes me to the party. I look at him one more time as I walk away
reluctantly.
' Something is wrong,' my subconscious says. I ignore the tight knot in my stomach and pretend to be
okay.
I dance with Naomi to two songs, then Bradley, but a low growl cut it short.
- Writer
