Under The Alpha's Protection

Chapter 15: The Official Welcome

The flowing skirt of the dress reached the floor. If she had been wearing heels, it would have been the perfect length. But as it was, Blue only had her sneakers, which were gradually becoming more and more worn the longer she walked around the Northern Territory.

She'd be leaving tomorrow though.

In the mirror in the bathroom of the isolation room, Blue had finally managed to stop fidgeting with her hair. She'd tied two sides at the back to make some sort of formal looking hairstyle. If she had her straightening iron, it would have been neater.

Blue's face had gotten slightly tanned from her time in the Northern Territory. The dark bags under her eyes from the late nights she'd spent going through medical books had alleviated somewhat, making Blue look well-rested. Even without make-up, Blue didn't dislike the way she looked.

Other people probably wouldn't even be able to tell that she had a panic attack hours earlier while thinking about what would be happening in less than an hour.

Blue stopped tugging at the tresses of her chestnut-colored hair, fiddling with the off-shoulder strands of Laia's dress instead. The dress itself was simple and elegant, without any patterns or ruffles that drew too much attention. Hers and Laia's chest sizes differed, and so the fabric was a little tighter on Blue at the top. At least it didn't look indecent.

It felt weird. Not the dress, per say.

It was weird why she was wearing the dress in the first place.

There was knocking. Blue blinked at her reflection one last time before opening the door, where a slender woman with long blonde hair and an equally yellow dress waited patiently.

"Hi!" The woman smiled, fine lines on her elegant face becoming prominent. "I'm Shae Daggersap. They told you I'd be the one accompanying you to the Official Welcome Ceremony?"

"Oh, hi!" Blue's anxious energy was distracted for the moment. "It's so nice to finally meet the woman Arlo continues to gush about."

Shae's grin widened. "He set you up to this, didn't he?" The omega laughed good-naturedly. She gave Blue a once-over. "You look lovely, Blue."

They began the trek to the Council Room. The sky above was a mix of violets and blues, the sun minutes away from fully setting. Shae asked if Blue would mind taking another route to their destination, one that would go around the houses rather than through. Blue had thanked the Heavens that there was an option to not go through where the majority of the werewolves were.

"I didn't get a chance to properly thank you," Shae suddenly said. "For doing a good job of stitching up Arlo's wound. I wanted to meet you as soon as possible, truly. But my mother had been complaining about chest problems and I couldn't leave her alone."

"That was the least I could do for Arlo after he took care of my wounds. And, really, it's no trouble at all," Blue assured the older woman. "I hope your mother is alright now?"

"She's feeling much better." Shae nodded. "And Arlo's wound is healing nicely." She looked at Blue. "How about you? My mate says your abdomen was hurt pretty badly when Laia first brought you here." Shae knew the real reason Blue had gotten hurt (Arlo confirmed it), but the omega was careful not to mention it, even though there was nobody in front or behind them.

They continued to make easy talk the entire walk, Blue having to hold up the dress' skirt when they had to go up a sloping surface. Shae had the same tranquil vibe as her mate, and it was infectious. Blue's nerves had settled and didn't act up even when they were outside the house where the Council Room was.

Before entering the front door, Shae placed a hand over Blue's shoulder. "Are you ready?"

Blue was not. She wasn't sure.

But Blue was here now, and Laia and Lucian and Arlo—plus Shae—were all persistent that Blue take the once in a lifetime opportunity presented to her. For self-preservation, and so she could finally move on peacefully from the attack.

With a single nod from Blue, she and Shae entered the Council Room.

The lighting of the room was what caught Blue's attention first. The inside was dim without being too dark, multiple candles of varying shapes and sizes in metal candle holders positioned on top of different surfaces, a sort of eerie atmosphere settling within the space—especially considering how the people inside were waiting for Blue.

She had no idea when they had the time to do it, but the round table she'd sat at with the Council yesterday was nowhere in sight. The seven Council members stood in a line on the other side of the room, all wearing more formal attire like button-downs and floor-length dresses.

The sight of two large werewolves at each end of the line made Blue's breath catch.

For all the time she'd known Laia, she'd never once seen the alpha shift. But the tall, grey-furred werewolf in the far right corner, who wagged their tail upon Blue's arrival, was definitely Laia.

Which meant that the other werewolf, the one who remained standing still, with their golden eyes staring unblinkingly at Blue, was Lucian.

Lucian's werewolf form was just as intimidating as his human form. His grey fur was slightly darker than Laia's, mixed with lighter patches of fur. His body was slightly bigger than Laia's too. Blue hadn't expected either of them to shift for this event.

To Blue's utter surprise, the Council and the Steele siblings weren't the only ones already there.

She'd expected Arlo to make his presence known since his mate had escorted Blue here, but Blue hadn't expected Narra Sheinstone and Jones Ire to also be in attendance. They smiled upon making eye-contact with Blue, Narra even sending an encouraging thumbs-up.

In the center of the room was a thick, violet mat and a low table with a metal statue of two hands overlapped, holding a circle of white moonstone between them—the Moon Goddess' symbol.

Rose Rumi moved to stand in front of the table, asking for Blue to kneel on the mat.

Blue does what she's told, trying not to show how awkward she felt being watched by multiple pairs of eyes while kneeling in a damn floor-length dress in the middle of a room full of candles.

The older female alpha in front of Blue had a silver headpiece over her white hair, the white of the moonstone at its center the same color as her flowing robe. To the rest of the room, Rose's rough voice called out, "Tonight, we gather in front of the Moon Goddess, as we welcome a new member into the Northern Pack. While not born into our world, Blue Emmetson has earned this privilege for the help she has given to one of our omegas, helping ensure the safe birth of three new pups."

There were seven oaths Blue had to take, each Council member saying one, and the response she had to say back was, I swear it.

Garrison Byrne was the first to speak after Rose's signal. "Do you, Blue Emmetson, swear to treat all members of the Northern Pack with respect? To support, protect, and care for each werewolf within our Pack, to the best of your abilities?"

"I swear it," Blue replied, her palms beginning to sweat where she had placed them above the material of the skirt on her lap.

Althea Sheinstone, Narra's mother, went next, "Do you swear to respect the Northern Pack's traditions and cultures, to participate in its celebrations, and to be one with its grievances?"

Her argument with Lucian from earlier today came into mind.

Blue didn't look at the Head Alpha's direction. "I swear it."

The man standing to Althea's right—Garrison Byrne—lifted his hands and began gesturing them in a purposeful way.

Blue recognized it instantly as American Sign Language. Next to Garrison, Dominic had translated what Garrison had signed. "Do you swear to uphold the reputation of the Northern Pack, and to exhibit its core values and beliefs, no matter where you are or who you are with?"

"I swear it."

The oaths continued on, until only one was left. Rose's eyes bore down on Blue from where she was kneeling, as if pushing Blue further to the ground.

"Do you, Blue Emmetson, swear to bring no harm to the Northern Pack, or any of its members?" Rose Rumi stated slowly, emphasizing each word.

Fuck.

It was highly unlikely that Rose knew the truth—about the attack, and Blue's father being connected to the Southern Pack. But the female alpha said the words like a threat; and her gaze didn't let up.

Blue swallowed. She needed to answer.

"I swear it."

Rose Rumi nodded once before raising her hands over Blue's head, her eyes shutting. "May the Moon Goddess have mercy on this woman's soul. May Her energy provide strength, Her divine wisdom provide guidance, and Her spiritual healing provide safety and longevity."

After Rose put her arms down, the low table with the Moon Goddess' symbol was pulled away by the two male alphas in the Council; Lynx Dashiell and Elvis Dunn.

"It is now time to present Blue Emmetson to Head Alpha Lucian Steele and his honorary second-in-command, Laia Steele, so they may conduct the First Scenting," Rose said, stepping backwards to make room for Laia, who walked on her four paws until she was in front of Blue, their faces nearly eye-level given that Blue was still on the mat.

It was good that Laia had warned Blue about this part too. When Laia's snout touched Blue's neck, Blue kept her face expressionless and her back straight. Laia rubbed her snout all over where Blue's own scent glands were supposed to be (if she were a werewolf). Blue wouldn't be able to tell because of her weak human nose, but afterwards, she was supposed to smell like she was part of the Northern Pack. They were scenting her neck, instead of a more formal place (her wrist), because the glands in the neck held scents the longest.

Laia's face leaned back, finished scenting Blue, but without warning, she playfully licked at Blue's face, making Blue release a slight yelp that made the witnesses at the sidelines chuckle.

Then, it was the Head Alpha's turn to scent Blue.

He was even bigger up close. Blue swallowed as they were now face-to-face.

Unlike with Laia, as soon as Lucian's snout had become too close, Blue tensed. The feel of his nose against the sensitive areas of her neck made Blue unconsciously hold her breath.

Her wish for this part to be over quickly was granted. Lucian's scenting on Blue was perfunctory, and much quicker than Laia's. He was barely in front of Blue for a minute before he stalked back to his spot at the end of the line.

"Congratulations, Blue Emmetson," Rose Rumi announced. "You are now officially a member of the Northern Pack."

Laia howled loudly, the witnesses at the side cheering, and the rest of the Council members clapping.

And just like that, Blue was now part of a Pack.

-----

The next day, Lucian had been in the process of making his morning cup of coffee when someone knocked at his door.

Lucian woke up early no matter how late he fell asleep. His body clock made him naturally get up at around six now, and while it was great to start his day early (being Head Alpha and all), sometimes he would appreciate a few more hours in bed. Especially since he'd only slept for three hours.

Lucian slept without a shirt. He threw one on before he opened the door, half-expecting it to be Laia bothering him for coffee as well.

He was speechless upon seeing Blue Emmetson standing in his doorway.

After the Official Welcome Ceremony, they had dinner at Althea and Narra Sheinstone's home. They had a large backyard that could easily fit all of them, even though Jones had taken his leave after the ceremony to go back to his mate and their triplets. Althea's mate, Lyonis, was an excellent home cook and made them a simple spread in celebration.

Lucian had watched when Blue thanked the Sheinstones profusely, and then kept watching as Blue was asked all kinds of questions by everyone at the large folding table about her family and her work. The human had shared that her parents were hard workers and that their love had been so romantic that it made her gag as a child. She shared stories from her time at the clinic, the funny ones and the most moving ones. She entertained them with the lessons she'd learned from Oswin Holloway, both medical and in life.

Throughout dinner, Blue had kept rearranging the straps of the blue dress Laia had lent her. Blue's hair had fallen in soft waves over her bare shoulders, and she had laughed and smiled at the jokes and anecdotes shared by others around the table.

Lucian had stared. He had stared and stared, and he had tried to play it off by pretending his gaze was mostly on Laia, because his sister had sat next to Blue, but truthfully, Lucian could not stop looking at Blue.

He had not said many words during last night's dinner, not even when Lyonis and Narra broke out a bottle of wine that led to an even longer dinner celebration, lasting until midnight.

Lucian had fallen asleep at around three because he couldn't stop seeing Blue in that damn dress. It hadn't been a provocative outfit, in fact she looked elegant in it. But it had fit her body as if it had been sewn specifically for her, revealing more of her beautiful curves .

Now, Blue was dressed in Laia's clothes again. This time, in a shirt and denim pants.

"Hey," Blue smiled, although it didn't reach her eyes. Her hair was still wet, and she smelled like generic soap and shampoo on top of the lavender scent Lucian had already associated her with. "I already said my goodbyes to everyone else last night, after you left. Laia made me sleep in her house, and she pointed me to yours so I could properly say goodbye."

Lucian cleared his throat. "You're returning to Bracket Town then?"

"Yeah," Blue nodded, hand unconsciously running up and down her opposite arm. "I haven't told Oswin any of the things that have happened the past few days, and he's beginning to suspect that I might not really have the flu. I plan to go to the clinic today, which is why I'm leaving so early."

Blue had declined any alcoholic drink offered to her last night. That whole time, she had not spoken a word directly to Lucian, and Lucian hadn't tried either.

The last time they addressed one another properly was yesterday morning, but that conversation had ended in an argument.

Lucian already had another question on the tip of his tongue, but caught himself. Blue was still standing outside.

"Would you... like to come in?"

Blue blinked up at him. Several times. Lucian kept his face blank.

"Sure?" The human didn't sound sure, but when Lucian stepped aside, she entered his living room space, taking a look around.

Lucian's house was bigger than Laia's, but Laia's felt more like a home. Lucian wasn't one to go out of his way to decorate the inside of his place. The most he'd done was put up a frame of him and his family above the fireplace. He didn't have a television like Laia, but he had a laptop in his bedroom to keep up with the rest of the world outside their Pack.

"Nice place," Blue said after she met Lucian's eyes again. "Very cozy."

Lucian quickly thought of something before the silence could stretch too long. "I was just about to make myself a cup of coffee, if you'd like one?"

Blue was quick to shake her head, but she had a small smile on to soften it. "Nah, it's okay. I have to get going soon. The clinic opens at seven. Laia's just finishing her breakfast before she drives me back."

Even though many of the curiosities Lucian had harbored about the human had been answered last night, there were also a few that he had wished to voice out, but could not for fear of ruining Blue's mood.

"May I ask you a... somewhat personal question?" Lucian tried to make the question sound as harmless as he meant it to be.

Blue shrugged, hands in the pockets of her borrowed jeans. "Depends on what you're gonna ask."

Lucian licked his lips. "You work in a clinic that exclusively treats werewolves."

"I do." Blue nodded.

"But your parents were killed by the Southern Pack werewolves?"

Fortunately, Blue had not taken the question the wrong way, nodding as if she understood what Lucian was really asking. "Not all werewolves are bad. I believe the majority of them—of you—are good," She explained. "I met Doctor Oswin because my mother used to do business with him. He asked me if I wanted an apprenticeship. I said alright without knowing at the time what I was getting into."

That made Lucian incline his head in thought. "What made you decide to commit to helping werewolves medically?"

"As soon as I saw the good Doctor Oswin and all the medical staff in that clinic were doing, I committed to it too." Blue was looking around again, but it didn't seem like she was actually absorbing the details of Lucian's living room. "All werewolves living in the Neutral Territory are legally required to state in their legal documents that they're werewolves. And so, they're discriminated against for jobs. A lot of them don't have a stable income, and can't afford to pay out-of-pocket for treatment in a private hospital. The clinic helps alleviate some of the burden."

There was a brief pause, where Blue looked back at Lucian. "Humans do discriminate against werewolves a lot, and too many cases have led to violence. So... I understand if you still have... issues with me being an official member of your Pack."

"Blue, the Northern Pack will protect you now," Lucian found himself assuring the human—the girl he'd pushed to accept the Official Welcome, so that the Southern Pack would think twice before trying to get at her again. "Word of your Official Welcome will most probably reach the other Packs within the day. You're one of us now. If anybody tries to hurt you again, that means they're directly messing with the rest of us too."

It wasn't meant to be a whole spiel. Lucian had simply wished to reiterate the positives of Blue now being under the Northern Pack's wing.

But Blue's hazel eyes crinkled when she smiled this time, and Lucian had to swallow at how beautiful it looked on her face.

"Thank you, Lucian. I... I already promised Laia I'd visit the Northern Territory often." She shrugged. "I'll probably see you in a couple of weeks or so."

That was the first time Lucian's heard Blue address him by his first name.