Her Promise

Her Promise | Chapter Six

MISSY

“Do I wear the green one or the blue one?” I asked Maddox as I stood in front of our closet. I held up a dress in each hand, unsure which one to pick.

“I think I like what you are wearing under them,” he smiled, staring between them at my underwear set. I rolled my eyes, but a smile tugged at my lips.

“We don’t have time for that today! This party starts in less than an hour, and we aren’t even dressed!” I stressed.

“You’ll look perfect in both of them, so I don’t think it matters,” he shrugged.

“Maddox! Be helpful!” I demanded.

“Fine, green,” he smiled. “With the nude heels.”

“See, that was actually very helpful. Thank you,” I smiled back at him. I closed the distance between us and met him with a kiss.

“Go get ready. We have a pack to meet,” he said, turning me by hips to point me at the bathroom.

Somehow I managed to get ready in time. Halfway through, I sent a distressed picture to Sol to remind her how very important she was on these occasions. She called me laughing, and we video-chatted while I finished getting ready. Maddox came into the bathroom to retrieve me as I was trying to zip my dress. He looked mouthwatering in his dress clothes. He rolled his sleeves up to his elbows, making him look slightly more relaxed but still professional.

We met Emma and Langston in the Alpha office right on time. Emma was fussing over her mate lovingly when we came in. They were so cute, and I just hoped Maddox and I were that good of a mated pair.

“You two look adorable,” Emma complimented us. I squeezed Maddox’s hand. “I believe there are already a good amount of people outside gathering. Are you ready?”

“Yea,” I told her.

“Then let’s introduce Serenity Waters to its future Alpha and Luna,” Langston said.

We followed behind them as we headed all the way out of the packhouse and to the back. The lawn was set up for entertaining large groups with a covered area for food, a seating area, a stage, and even some yard games for the pups to the side.

People started to take notice of us as we closed in on the stage. There was a ramp next to the stairs. Every time we saw a ramp or other accommodation that made things accessible for Langston’s wheelchair, I could feel guilt from Maddox. He still thought he should have been able to stop it. I squeezed his hand tighter, telling him I was by his side.

“Welcome, Serenity Waters Pack!” Langston called as we stopped at the center of the stage. Maddox and I stayed behind them for the moment. “Thank you for joining us here today. We are so happy to see so many faces.”

“It is no secret that your Alpha and I have long survived long past the normal tenure for leaders of a pack,” Emma said confidently.

“But we have some wolves to introduce you to today. The young man and woman you are about to meet have already begun training and will be taking over for us in the coming months. The young man I have chosen to be your next Alpha is the reason I am still with you today. Without his bravery and selflessness, I would have perished at the hands of our enemy,” Langston continued.

Emma stepped aside and motioned for Maddox and I. He looked down at me first, kissing my cheek softly before we stepped forward. “Everyone, please give a warm welcome to Missy Blackfur and Maddox Amarok, the newest members of our pack and the next holder of the Alpha title of Serenity Waters Pack,” Langston announced loudly.

Simultaneously, everyone stomped three times, then threw their heads back and howled. Langston followed them, howling with them.

“That’s different,” I linked Maddox.

“My old pack had something similar,” he said. “It’s a unity thing.”

While it was odd to me, it was also neat. It made the whole pack feel like they were together on their welcome of us. Langston motioned to Maddox as everyone quieted down, allowing him to talk to the pack. I didn’t know how he wasn’t freaking out; this was the first time he was ever addressing the pack.

“Good afternoon, Serenity Waters!” he said. His voice was slightly different than usual, more commanding and in control. “I have never been so honored as I was when Alpha Langston asked me to follow in his footsteps. He gracefully agreed to allow my mate and I to complete school and enjoy one last summer together as carefree young wolves. But we are here and ready to work hard for you. We have met several pack members over the past week we have been in Serenity Waters, and I can’t wait to learn every one of your names.”

Maddox paused for a second to allow their mild applause to die back down. “We are strangers to Serenity Waters, but we are eager to make this our home. I wanted to thank Alpha Langston and Luna Emma for the warm welcome so far. I also wanted to thank Ronin and Sadie for all their help. Would you both join us up here?”

Ronin and Sadie were standing with their uncle in the front of the crowd, and all the color drained from Ronin’s face as Maddox asked him to join us. Sadie grabbed his arm, and Beta Joshua pushed him to go with her. Emma stepped around and went to Langston’s other side as they joined us on the stage.

“Ronin, I’m not sure I would have felt so secure as I started my Alpha training without such a knowledgeable and honest wolf to work with. I strive to repay the kindnesses granted to me, so I would like to ask you to be my Beta,” Maddox announced.

Ronin’s jaw dropped open. I looked down at his uncle, who was swelling. He had to be so proud right now. Sadie slapped Ronin’s arm, making him realize he was supposed to say something. “Um, th-thank you. I’m honored to accept the position,” he said. Maddox smiled triumphantly.

“With that taken care of, I hope you all enjoy the food and the party. Please feel free to introduce yourselves. We are very excited to meet each of you,” Maddox said.

One stomp sounded then everyone repeated the group call. Maddox and I threw our heads back, joining in their howl. There was a feeling in the air as the sound died from our throats and echoed through the air; it was like when a smile didn’t reach someone’s eyes.

We all headed back off the stage, stopping before we moved to join everyone. “That was great,” Langston said. “You are a natural.”

“I just thought I would make the best first impression if I publically recognized I am not a part of them yet and showed them I want to be,” he smiled. I got the feeling he hadn’t told anyone he was going to do that.

“Ronin, sweetheart, you look a little green,” Emma said gently.

“Why me?” he gasped. “You really think I would make a good Beta?”

“Yea,” Maddox said, looking shocked. “I meant what I said. We work well together, and I want your help running the pack.”

“If you’re too scared, I’ll do it,” Sadie smirked. Ronin immediately frowned at her.

“Well, if I am going to be your Beta, you can’t just spring stuff on me like that,” he sighed.

“Deal,” Maddox laughed. “Should we go meet the pack?” he asked me. I just nodded.

-

“I’m getting really hungry,” I linked Maddox after over an hour of talking to one new person after the last. “We should try to move toward the food.”

“Agreed,” he replied. He politely ended the conversation with the pack’s elementary school principal and his mate so we could try to get over to the buffet tables.

As we turned around, we were stopped immediately by Vera and Valen. “Juicy speech,” she smiled.

“Um, thanks, I think,” Maddox said. “Vera, right?”

“Yes, you remembered!” she gasped.

“We want to get acquainted with everyone,” I reminded her. To my annoyance, their mother was approaching us as well with another wolf.

“Well, mother suggested we do anything we can to help your transition. My brother and I would be privileged to show you around the pack and make some important introductions,” she offered.

“So you’ve said,” I acknowledged with a tight smile.

“It is a generous offer,” the man with Sabrina said as they joined us. “Our family has plenty of connections that we would be happy to share with the next Alpha family of our little pack. Alpha lines should support each other.”

“We appreciate the support of all the pack members,” Maddox said cooly.

“I don’t believe you have had the pleasure of meeting my mate yet,” Sabrina cut in. “Misty, Maddox, this is Halsten. He founded the tech company, Alpha Prime, and has brought jobs and money into the pack with it.”

Halsten just nodded at us. I could feel the superiority oozing out of him. He had white blonde hair and was on the paler side, looking much more like his children than his wife did. They all held themselves similarly, and I got the idea they felt their money and “Alpha lineage” made them superior to other pack members.

“It’s wonderful to have dedicated businessmen in our pack,” Maddox said. “A tech company is impressive. I’m sure you’re very proud of your accomplishments.”

“My Halsten is something of a genius. We Alpha lines have to be an example for omegas, of course,” Sabrina said. The way she complimented her family made me want to punch her. There was nothing wrong with omegas. Vera and Valen stood there like obedient dolls, letting their parents take over the conversation.

“We would be happy to have Valen come join your training for the takeover of the pack. He would be very useful, and I think you might find he would be a valuable addition to your team,” Halsten said.

“Oh, uh,” Maddox said, surprised. “I’ll, uh, speak with Langston about it. We have a pretty intense schedule. I want to get him to retirement as soon as possible.”

“We’ll be sure to speak with them before we leave,” he said assuredly.

“It has been really nice to finally meet you, Halsten and seeing you guys again, but Maddox and I haven’t gotten to eat today. Would you mind if we snuck away to get something?” I finally said. My stomach didn’t care for Halsten and Sabrina’s fake pleasantries anymore.

“Oh, how awful! Such is the life of important people, isn’t it?” Sabrina said. “Please, go!”

Sabrina ushered her husband away, and we waved as they wandered away. “I definitely don’t like the parents, but I still can’t figure out the kids,” Maddox said as he aimed us toward food. Thankfully we reached the buffet line without another interruption, and it was almost empty. We grabbed some plates and started.

“I can’t tell if they are a byproduct of their parents or playing along with their antics,” I admitted as I piled a couple of rolls onto my plate. Next was dessert, and the cupcakes were calling to me.

“Let’s find somewhere to hide for a minute and eat. I don’t want to come off rude trying to shut up my stomach,” Maddox whispered. After we both had full plates, we snuck back over to the stage, going around it where it didn’t seem anyone was interested in being.

“Maybe we should try to get close to Vera and Valen,” I suggested as we sat down in the grass.

“Friends close, enemies closer?” Maddox asked through a mouthful of chicken. I nodded.

“Make their family happy and control what they get from us,” I shrugged.

“See, you haven’t even officially started, and you’re good at this,” Maddox smiled. His expression dropped as he spotted something over my shoulder. I looked back to see Vera and Valen coming toward us.

“Seriously?” I hissed, facing Maddox again.

“Did you need something?” Maddox asked as they came closer. They both had a tiny plate of food with them.

“We just wanted to apologize for our parents,” Vera said.

“They are insistent at times,” Valen added.

“Oh, no, it’s okay,” I told them. “We were just starving. No breakfast with all the preparations today.”

“Well, we would like to help you but not because our parents demand it,” Valen said.

“We appreciate it,” Maddox said, getting to his feet. He held out his hand to Valen. “I’m sure we’ll get to know each other well.”

Valen returned a mild smile. “I’m sure we will.”