Their Mate And Luna

CHAPTER 48

THE ALPHAS OF THE PACK.

The atmosphere in the pack hall shifted palpably. A mixture of surprise, uncertainty, and realization settled among the members. The weight of the announcement hung in the air, creating different moods as the pack absorbed the significance of the impending change in leadership. Drake's words lingered, leaving an indelible mark on the pack's collective consciousness.

“I want to appreciate my Beta, Oscar, for staying by my side all through. You’re a good friend, Beta and brother—the best beta any alpha can wish for.” Drake went on, smiling at his Beta who was still in shock. “If I may ask for your service one last time.”

“Sure, Alpha,” Oscar got up from his seat and walked to the podium to join him.

“Vince, Vance.” Drake called his sons, breaking them out of their shock. “Can you join me here?”

The brothers walked up to him. Drake brought out a knife form his pocket and gestured to an omega who held white napkins in her hands, to come forward. He stood between his sons and handed the knife to Oscar.

“I believe in my sons to lead this pack better than I have done,” he said before signaling to Oscar to make the cuts on their palms.

Oscar made a long s***h across each of Drake’s palm. He did the same to the palms of the twins.

Drake turned to his sons. “I Alpha Drake Stone, Alpha of the Firestone Pack, hereby hand over the Firestone Pack to my twin sons, Vince and Vance Stone, to be the new leaders of the pack. Do you accept?”

The twins held out their hands. “We accept.”

Drake clasped each of his palm onto theirs as the transfer of power took place. The three of them shut their eyes as loud rumbles travelled through each of their bodies, causing strong, visible trembles.

The three wolves released powerful howls into the air. One losing power and the other two gaining new found strength and power.

The pack felt the exchange in powers. Their wolves recognized the change and instantly baring their necks in submission to their new leaders, naturally breaking the link of authority between them and Alpha Drake. Forming a new one with the twins. Creating a new mindlink with the new alphas.

“We promise to lead and protect the pack at all times. Doing our best to safeguard the lives and properties of all members of the Firestone Pack.” Both brothers chorused, their wolves present, looking over the pack. Feeling the connection to them as their alpha.

“Firestone Pack, I present to you your new Alphas!” Drake declared to the crowd.

The crowd erupted with joy, howls of approval echoing through the pack, rolling into the trees.

“Congrats, boys. Want to give your first official howl?”

The boys lifted their heads, faces illuminated by the moonlight and unleashed two powerful howls, their first howls as alphas of the pack. Signaling to every wolf here who was the boss now.

A collective surge of emotion swirled through the crowd. Spontaneously, the crowd lifted their heads, howling along with their new alphas. The harmonious sound, echoing through the night, declaring their acceptance and pledging loyalty. Symbolizing unity within the pack, joy and unwavering support for their new alphas.

Drake heaved a sigh of relief, yet he maintained his worry about the Council showing up. He kept his smile, waving at the cheering crowd. “Our alphas will tell us when they will have their first pack run.”

VINCE

Our father’s declaration thrusts me out of my mind. One minute I am hearing him speak; the next I am being cut, and Vance and I are being handed the pack.

Yes, we always knew we were going to be the next alphas, but not without being told when. Not while we were still dealing with getting Nicole to forgive us.

Speaking of her, she’s not here.

“Dad, couldn’t you have told us?” I ask, a bit harshly, in the new mindlink. I can feel the difference in this one. Before, he held the authoritative voice and aura in the link, Now, we naturally wield power. “I am sorry. I didn’t mean to be harsh.” I quickly apologized.

“I understand, son. I won’t hold it against you both.” He chuckled at us. Vance had equally done the same. “You will get used to it and learn how to properly manage it.”

“You still should have told us what you wanted to do,” Vance says.

“And spoil the surprise? The looks on your faces. I wish I had it captured on camera. Besides, I have my reasons and you will find out later. For now, let us enjoy the moment and make the needed announcements. We have a more pressing matter to discuss.”

I can feel the strength of the distress coming off him. He was trying to mask it well, but I can still feel it.

“Is everything okay, dad?”

“Sure, son.” he leaves with uncle Oscar, leaving Vance and me.

“Our pack run is slated for the next full moon, which is in two weeks’ time. Our first Pack dinner will be next week Friday and I expect you all to be present for these two events. You all know how important they are to us as a pack. Our father, your former alpha, has always used these two events the emphasize strengthening the pack and build unity.”

“And we intend to continue these traditions and every other thing he has been doing. We will also announce our Betas.” Vance takes over. “On the day of the pack run…”

“And also announce your Lunas,” A snarky voice, one I have tolerated for too long, suddenly comes up.

VANCE

Shock grips me as I absorb our father's announcement. The abrupt handover of the pack feels out of character for him, and the tension emanating from his response heightens my unease. Vince shares my sentiment, and we exchange weary sighs in response to our father's unusual behavior. The palpable aura surrounding him raises more questions, especially when he hints at a more pressing issue that demands our attention after addressing the pack.

Amidst Vance's attempt to navigate the delicate situation, Billie attempts to grab my attention. The glint in her eyes, the surge of her wolf, and the shared excitement with her sister signal trouble. It doesn't surprise me when she blurts out something foolish as asking us to announce who our Lunas will be.

Despite its absurdity, her words send a shiver down my spine, and I can't help but be grateful that Nicole isn't here to witness the chaos unfolding.

Billie's reckless words become a catalyst for a storm of emotions. Vince's anger radiates through the crowd, escalating with each murmur sparked by her audacity. Tensions rise as a voice from the crowd demands, "Will you shut your trap?"

“You shut up!” Billie retorts defiantly at the person, fueling more unrest. “It’s my right as a member of this pack to ask the alphas to tell us who their Lunas are going to be.”

“Yes, we would like to know who their Lunas are going to be,” Millie amplifies her sister’s clamor, eliciting more murmurs from the crowd.

Their mother seizes the moment, standing up with grace and sneering at the crowd. “It seems you all have forgotten the relationship between the Stone and Ashton families,” she speaks, invoking the longstanding relationship between our families, challenging the pack to acknowledge the connection, pretending to not know the recent happenings between the two families. She faces my parents. “Correct me if I am wrong, Drake, Malia?” raising a brow at them. “Hmm?”

My father gives a bored nod.

She turns back to the crowd. “It’s also common knowledge that my daughters and our new alphas have been in a relationship for long and…”

Vince barks a firm “Enough!”. Unable to tolerate their nonsense further. The pack reacts to his authoritative voice. “I don’t want to hear any more nonsense from your mouth!”

“Vince?” she looks surprised or acting like she is? Either way I don’t care and I’m also tired of the nonsense they are spewing.

“That is Alpha Vincent and Alpha Vance to you!” I bark firmly also, at her and her daughters. “Whatever is between Billie and me is over. Was over for a while now. In case your daughter didn’t tell you that.” I am glad again that Nicole isn’t here.

Hopefully, Savvy or anyone else won’t tell her this part of the meeting.

“I believe you should announce it properly to the pack,” Vince suggests in the link.

Good idea.

“My relationship with Billie Ashton has been history for a while now. Now, I declare to the pack that it is officially terminated. I am no longer her boyfriend and she’s not my Luna.”

“Vance!” Billie gasps, shock fills her face. “You can’t do this to me!”

“Don’t just sit there. Malia, Drake,” Theresa turns to our parents.

“Don’t bring us into this, Theresa. If Vance wants to break up with Billie, he can. He’s an adult and now alpha of our pack,” our mother nonchalantly shrugs.

Vince interjects with a stern warning, fixing an equal stern gaze on the two girls. “Consider this as a clear message. The both of you, under no circumstances, are to be anywhere near us, unless we give you permission to.” He added in the link to them. “And steer clear of Nicole.” Ares, growled, flashing them his golden eyes.