Auctioned to the Rogue Alpha

3 - Alpha Ceremony

Can you come help me get ready? - I linked my best friend, Penelope.

I’m waiting in your room, where are you? Why didn’t you tell me this was tonight?

I’ll explain in person.

“Oh, Kiki,” Penelope wrapped me in a hug, and I melted into her, feeling the edges of my eyes pricked. I stood up, unwrapping her iron grip from me. I smiled, wiping at the edges of my eyes.

“Thank you, Penn. But I can’t cry anymore, not right now.” I breathed through my nose. Strong front. I pulled back; she was already dressed, her long, glossy black hair spilled down her back. Her large, slightly slanted eyes studied me with worry. But no matter what she did, there was nothing that could make her look anything less than impossibly gorgeous and put together.

I knew she wanted to say more, so much more, but she shut her mouth and motioned me to the seat in front of the mirror.

“I was worried there for a moment,” she whispered and couldn’t meet my eyes in the mirror as she brushed out my thick blonde waves. “I kept coming in. I spent a few nights here. Do you remember that?” she asked, pausing.

I shook my head. “I don’t remember anything after his death; I just came out of it today.”

She nodded, chewing her lip. “Everyone grieves differently. Even though you didn’t want to attend the funeral, I have a few photos and the book the pack wrote in case you wanted them later.” Her slender shoulders raised slightly.

“I wanted to go to the funeral,” I snapped.

“We were told you couldn’t face it.” Her midnight brows pulled together.

“No one spoke to me,” I said, shaking my head. “Not that I remembered anyway.” I couldn’t remember any of it, but I knew I wouldn’t have missed it if even a fragment of myself was cognisant. Those few days were completely black. I had no memories of it at all.

There was already a gaping hole in my heart filled with regret that I didn’t attend, but it was nothing compared to the loss of my father, so it was easy to ignore - for now.

“They really planned your ceremony behind your back?” she asked, knowing to change the subject.

“The ceremony doesn’t matter much. I’m honestly glad I didn’t have to make trivial decisions.” I waved my hand; that was the truth.

She frowned slightly. “We didn’t have time to shop.” Her mouth clamped shut. “I’m sorry, I wasn’t thinking-”

“No, please, normal is good,” I said. I would rather talk about shopping at my father's funeral before I had to face the pack.

She smiled brilliantly. “Floor-length light blue dress?” she suggested.

“I want something more sophisticated, more powerful.”

“The black?” she asked.

“The black,” I agreed.

We settled into comfortable and meaningless chatter; she carried the brunt of the conversation and never a moment of silence. She knew what I needed sometimes better than I did. There would be time for grief, but I learned to compartmentalize from my father, and tonight was a night for celebration.

When she was done with me, my thick hair fell in loose curls that framed my face. She did more makeup than I would normally wear, even at events, but I would be on stage, and I had to hide the days of grief to present a strong future.

“Perfect,” she said, looking at me in the mirror over my shoulder, squeezing my arms.

We were so different in looks; I was always the more innocent-looking one with wide blue eyes and blonde hair. She had a sultry look that she leaned into and used her beauty as a weapon.

Grace knocked at the door carrying a tray of food, and when she saw me, she seemed relieved, and a brilliant smile crossed her face. “Are you almost ready?” she asked. I nodded, feeling guilty at the flutter of excitement that danced through me. “Your uncle has greeted the guests, and they are waiting.”

“Good,” I took one last look in the mirror; next time there was an event, I would be down to greet them as an Alpha; for this ceremony, I wouldn’t make an appearance until the title was ready to be changed.

“Eat,” Penelope insisted, and I did, scarfing down everything on the tray. I felt a lot better, more like a person. I could think a lot better, too.

She helped me into my dress and heels, touched up my lipstick, and stood back. “Alpha Katerina.” She bowed slightly, and I laughed, but that title solidified something in me.

“It’s time,” Grace announced.

To my surprise, Uncle John was standing outside my door. He was in a full suit, looking serious and wary. He held out an arm to me, and I took it.

“I’ll escort her,” he told Penelope. I wanted to protest, but she smiled at me and promised to find me right after.

“I’m glad you felt up to making it tonight,” My uncle said.

I laughed. “There wouldn’t be an event without me,” I stated, my errant thoughts thinking of the funeral. I wondered how they would have played this off if I didn’t show.

We walked in silence through the hallway. The swell of chatter buzzed in the air past the stone interior.

“How are you?” I asked.

“Mmm?” He looked at me, but his eyes were vacant. “Oh, yes, I’m okay,” he stated, adjusting his tie with his free hand. “I will be; we both will be,” he said with more sincerity than I had ever heard from him.

I swallowed and looked ahead as the doors opened. The warmth and swell of the audience crashed over us as we ascended into the courtyard and paused halfway down on the landing, where we always addressed the crowd.

Everyone silenced, waiting expectantly. I looked over my pack, not able to make eye contact with any of them; I knew the pity and pain I would find on their faces. But my heart swelled with love for my pack and my people.

Cletus was waiting for us. He cleared his throat, holding up the chalice where I would drop my blood and become Alpha. It struck me again that my father should be here for this. Traditionally, it was the previous Alpha that would join hands and blood when handing a title.

“It is now time to announce the next Alpha,” Cletus started, his voice sounding almost shaky as if he hadn’t addressed the pack hundreds of times before. “It was our Alpha Richard’s wishes, Goddess rest his soul, that The Blue Moon Pack be passed to his next of kin, his brother, John.”