Born of the Moon

Chapter 7: Addressing the Pack

CARAMIA:

Rex and I make our way to the food hall where most of the formal addresses take place. My Father was of the belief that the ambient smell of food and the satisfaction of a full belly keeps a crowd calm and makes the individual more open minded. I don’t want to change my Father’s tradition and I think there might be some truth to his theory.

We’d just finished addressing the scouts on the breach and how we can we keep it from happening again. Their eyes went wide when I stepped onto the field and there were more murmurs among them than I would have liked. I need to find a way to get them on my side, because every single time I said something in that meeting I could see the scouts’ eyes nervously flicker to Rex, as if for confirmation of the orders I was giving.

It had taken everything to keep my wolf from taking over and yelling at them for insubordination, but one thing is clear… My pack does not feel that I am their rightful Alpha. I will need to change that.

The next part is going to be the hardest. Addressing the entire pack from young to old, from pack warrior to kitchen staff. It is never an easy task and it feels like I am already starting on a bad foot. I take a deep breath to gather my thoughts, I have no idea what I'm going to say.

“Are you sure you want to do this? You seemed aggravated when were talking to the scouts just now.” Rex questions and I hate the annoying look of concern he's giving me.

My wolf growls at his insinuation of my weakness. “I was aggravated, because they are not up to standard and they don’t seem to understand the gravity of the situation.” I bite at him.

“I’m just trying to help. If you’re not ready-“ He starts, but I turn on him, cutting him off abruptly. “Stop insinuating that I am not strong enough to lead this pack!” I yell at him before we enter the hall, hoping that no is around to see, because it is feeling more and more like everyone is on his side.

“That’s not what I was saying at all. I-“ He tries to say again, but I’ve had enough. “I don’t care, Be-ta Rex.” I emphasize the syllables of Beta as I say it, so that he can remember who he’s talking to.

“I’m not your enemy here, Caramia.” He replies, as if trying to calm a deer.

“That's Alpha to you!” I spit at him, before turning on my heel and marching ahead, still fuming. Despite what he’d said before when I was in the hospital, what I saw today made me realize that he is still my competition and he has something I don’t, the trust of the pack.

We enter the hall and I hear some gasps go through the crowd as I march straight up to the small stage where the Alpha traditionally stands to address the pack.

I turn towards the crowd and allow a moment for the shock and murmurs to wear off. My Mother is seated among some of her friends, unfazed by my appearance. I meet her gaze for a moment. Rex must not have conveyed the message that I would be the one making the address today.

I have no idea where to even start. “I’m back.” I finally say, not sure how else to begin. “I would like to thank you all for your well wishes while I was recovering. I would also like to thank the Luna, for taking over pack announcements while I was gone.”

I see a murmur go through the crowd and I look towards my Mother for confirmation, but she looks away, refusing to meet my gaze. I see, so that order has also been ignored by my Beta. I clench my jaw, realizing what Rex’s actions is forcing me to do.

“And I would also like to thank Beta Rex for managing things while I was unable to, but like I said, I am back now and will be taking it from here.” I see a few suppressed laughs and I force myself to keep a straight face.

“I would like to address the burning questions that I know you all have and clarify exactly what happened that night.” I continue, trying to ignore the judgement seeping from the eyes that are boring into me.

“It has come to our attention, that when I killed the Alpha of the other pack after he murdered my Father, your Alpha. I unintentionally became the Alpha of not only our pack, but their pack as well.” I offer a moment of silence as I see heads turning to each other in shock and question. Clearly, this information has also not been given to the pack, what has Rex been telling them?

“This caused the new Alpha of the other pack to be able to mind link with me and speak directly into my thoughts, catching me off guard.” I watch as the murmurs spread and my Mother looks at me again, pity in her grey-blue eyes.

“The Alpha used my momentary confusion to take her shot and she dealt, what she thought, was a fatal blow. Thankfully, my wolf is strong and was able to get me back here in time to avert the worst from happening.” I explain on, keeping as much power in my voice as I can muster, even though the topic is somewhat demeaning.

“What if it hadn’t?” Comes a voice from across the crowd. The thought playing on everyone’s faces. What if I had died and that wolf had become their new Alpha.

“You can trust that I am your Alpha, daughter of your previous Alpha. His Alpha blood runs strong through my veins and I will fight for this pack until my dying day.” I reiterate, trying to keep control of the situation.

“But what if you did die?” Someone calls to me again.

I understand where they’re coming from. I have no heirs yet, so the succession of the bloodline was now halted. “My Mother, your Luna, would take on the immense responsibility of appointing a new Alpha.” I offer, hoping this will be enough, but I forgot one big thing.

“What if the new Alpha is won and not chosen?” Another voice comes from much closer now. It is a valid question, and the truth is hard for me to admit. They all fear that I am too weak to fight off a challenger.

“If, and that is a big if, I lose to a challenger I am sure that one of our brave warriors will step up and challenge them for the right to be Alpha of our pack again.” It is common for pack warriors to challenge a new Alpha that killed their previous Alpha for the hopes of becoming Alpha themselves.

I grip the pulpit as the question I’ve been dreading comes ringing through the building. “What about Beta Rex?”

Yes, what about Beta Rex… I know what they all want. They think he is stronger than I am, more suited to the role of Alpha. The worst part is, they might be right. Well, there is only way for me to settle it once and for all. Live or die, I need to know if I am worthy of being Alpha.

“Beta Rex and I will be settling our engagement and performing the long-awaited submission ritual on the next full moon.” I force the words out and as soon as they leave my lips loud chatter erupts as everyone in the hall turns to the person next to them. No one making any attempt to hide their insolent  smiles, some even laughing at the idea. Rex gapes at me in surprise. This is probably exactly what he’s been waiting for. I stand my ground, despite the insult the entire pack is showing me.

“As you all know.” I bellow across the room, giving a moment for everyone to quiet down again. “It is tradition for only a few elders to attend the ceremony, but I invite each and every one of you to come. So that I can prove all of you once and for all that I am your rightful Alpha.” I say, finding it hard to keep the ferocity of my wolf out of my voice as it rings across the pack. 

My Mother’s eyes widen in panic and Rex raises a brow at me in question. I shoot a challenging smirk at him in return, not caring anymore who sees. Come the full moon, I am finally going to get the chance to sink my teeth into his perfect little face. I can't stop the smile that breaks across my face at the thought and for a brief moment I see fear in Rex's eyes.

The ritual is traditionally performed when wolves are in positions of power, to determine which one is the stronger wolf, but it rarely ends in the death of either party. My Father and Mother were forced to perform the ritual and so has every Alpha and Luna since the beginning of time. So has every Alpha and Beta, but with Rex it is two birds with one stone. Although I am not permitted to kill him during the ceremony, I am sure as h*ll going to make him hurt.

“Thank you.” I say, ending my speech and walking off of the pulpit, refusing to take my eyes off of Rex.

“What was that?” He whispers as I come towards him.

“Isn’t this what you want?” I challenge him, holding my ground as he towers over me.

“You’re too weak.” He insists. “I could really hurt you.”

My wolf lets out a snarl at his insult. “Oh, don’t you worry about me Rex. Worry about yourself for once." I tease, not allowing the insult to register on my face. It is time I end this whole thing, consequences be d**ned. I would rather die an Alpha than live with the insult of being reduced to his Luna.

“I like this fearless Caramia.” My wolf’s sultry voice appears in my mind.

“We will either die or win. I will not become his Luna.” I say back to her, feeling braver than I should, still high on the adrenaline from my speech.

“Agreed.” She answers, both of us feeling the weight of the situation and relishing it. I walk past Rex and out of the food hall.

Now all I have to do is survive the encounter with my mate tonight, and figure out what on earth I am going to do about her if I survive the ritual with Rex.