October 16th
(Kaiden’s POV)
“Happy belated birthday, love.” Cody says wrapping his arms around my waist from behind as I attempt to brush my hair.
“I thought you weren’t going to be back until later?” I ask looking at him in the mirror.
“Decided to leave a little earlier than planned. Plus I found the perfect gift while I was in one of the nearby towns.” He says kissing my shoulder before seeing my reflection, “It’s nothing inappropriate.”
“I wouldn’t put it past you.” I say giving up on brushing my hair and hoping it doesn’t dry weird.
“I would no such thing and you have no proof.”
“I’m sure there is a photo somewhere from my first birthday after we got together.” I say laughing at his horrified expression, “Can you please release me so I can get dressed?”
“Fine. Are those the Valentine’s Day boxes I got you?” He asks kissing my cheek before releasing me and leaving the bathroom. I straight up ignore that question.
Usually I only take showers at night, but I had training earlier in human form and it decided to rain on us. I ended up slipping in a mud puddle. Following Cody out of the bathroom I head over to my closet to find some clean clothes. I grab a pair of gray sweats to put on, that I think might actually be Cody’s, before finding a t-shirt to slip on. It’s rare I got without a shirt as I just feel awkward without even if I’m just hanging out in the house. For a time I wouldn’t go without one due to scars from top surgery almost two decades ago and scars from rogue attacks.
Walking out of the closet I spot Cody sitting on the foot of our bed holding a small wrapped box. He holds it out to me once I get closer. As I unwrap it he wraps his arms around my waist and pulls me down onto his lap. Opening the box I find a silver bracelet with a few stones set into it. Upon closer inspection I realize they are our birthstones as well as Peter and Melody’s. There are little paws engraved between the stones.
“I was in Dawn looking around and talking to some of the coven members there when I came across a jewelry store. Looking in the window I saw this bracelet. Going inside I learned you could get it with different stones. The paw print engraving were a happy accident.” He says resting his chin on my shoulder.
“I love it.” I say before putting the bracelet on. I don’t often wear jewelry as I’m always afraid I’m going to lose it.
“And I love you.”
“I love you too.” I say turning to kiss him.
———
October 24th
(Ella’s POV)
“How was your girls trip?” Carter asks as I braid his hair in the living room while we wait on the others.
“Really good. Very relaxing. The spa we went to is owned by a mermaid couple and they mostly cater to merfolk. I don’t think Keira wanted to leave.” It was nice spending the weekend with Keira and Rose. Rose talked about her soulmate, but has decided to annoy Keira by not telling us what her name is. All we know is that she’s not human and roommates with Rose’s best friend.
“That’s good. Alex and Isaac have started talking about moving into one of the smaller houses. Bri and Kimber plan to move back into this house by May.”
“I’m surprised they haven’t moved out sooner. I’m guessing Bri and Kimber are moving back in because you and Bri will be taking over in June.”
“Part of it. The other is that the tiny house they are living in belongs to an older couple that has been traveling. The couple is planning on returning in either June or July.”
“What does your dad plan on doing once you take over?” I ask as I tie off the first braid and start in the second.
“Helping Marc with his carpentry business full time. I think Jack also plans on doing that, but you would have to ask Bri. Mom and Andy keep talking opening a bakery it cafe.” A lot of the pack either work in Charlotte or one of the other nearby towns. Some are stay at home parents while some work from home. Jared and Jack work part time for Marc. Though from what I’ve learned both families own things in town. I know it’s common for coven members to own businesses in whatever town they are near as most covens founded the town they are near.
“Why did she never do it sooner or become a home baker?”
“She was pregnant with me when she became Luna. She had planned on starting a home baking business once Ember started school, but she found herself helping out with the pack a lot more. For about five years the pack grew which meant a few more houses had to be built. Two years after that settled down Bri, Alex and Luca came to live here. Mom helped Andy and Jack a lot for a couple of years as neither knew what to do.”
“That’s an understatement.” Alex says walking into the living room with Isaac. After I tie off the last braid I lean forward to wrap my arms around Carter’s shoulders as he is sitting in the floor.
“Does anyone ever know what they are doing when the have/gain kids for the first time?” I ask as Carter all of a sudden stands with me causing me to squeak, “Next time a warning would be nice.”
“Who just sounded like a mouse?” Ember asks as her, Nina and Luca walk in.
“Ella. Carter seems to have decided to give her an unexpected piggy back ride.” Alex says with a laugh and I just stick me tongue out at her.
“We are all here, so let’s go. I don’t want to miss the movie.” Nina says.
Carter doesn’t let me down until we are in the entry way so I can put my shoes on. Once all of have shoes on we head outside to Nina’s mom’s van. It’s the only vehicle that can hold all seven of us.
———
After the movie we decided to head to the park for food. There is a fall/Halloween festival going on all month. It’s has food, games and many booths where people are selling handmade items. It was at one of the booths that I found the journal I got Kaiden. I also got Keira as photo frame that had violets and peonies carved into it. Her favorite flower are violets and Rose loves peonies. I put a photo of the two of them from Rose’s high school graduation in it. Neither were paying attention when I took the photo. I thought it was cute as you could see how happy Keira was for Rose.
Once we all have food we settle in the grass under a tree decorated with pumpkin shaped lanterns, bats and ghosts. There are stacks of hay bales and pumpkins dotted around the open area in the middle of the festival.
“I think this is my favorite festival the town hosts.” Isaac says as we eat.
“You on like this festival because you love the caramel apples and cider they have here. In the past you have said many times the winter one is your favorite.” Alex corrects him.
“Very true. That reminds me, I promised Lucy I would bring her back a caramel apple.”
We talk about random things or things around the festival that we like as we eat. Afterwards we explore some more before we head back to the pack. It’s the perfect place to do shopping.
———
October 31
(Ella’s POV)
“Thought I would find you out here.” I hear someone say behind. Turning around I find Carter walking out onto the deck.
“Needed some air.” I say as he comes to a stop beside me and sets his shield down. Between Ember and me we were able to talk him into being Captain Carter while I’m Bucky. Marc made the shield and I painted it.
“It’s a lot going on in there.” It was decided to have the party in the pack because the community building was the only thing large enough to hold everyone.
Leaning against him I close my eyes, “We will be finding glitter in there for months, maybe years.”
“Didn’t think Sky could pull off Ariel’s sparkly purple dress, but I was wrong.” He says wrapping an arm around my waist, “Why he chose glitter fabric that spreads glitter everywhere? I wish I knew.”
“Don’t forget Cody and Kaiden’s fairy wings.” They are Silvermist and Tinkerbell. Apparently Aurora tried to talk Kaiden into being Rani, but he wanted to be Tink. I have Kaiden and Rose the option to be whoever they felt comfortable being regardless of the characters gender. Rose decided to be comic Loki as he is gender-fluid. She felt most comfortable as him over any of the other male characters.
“It’s kind of hard not to. Have a good birthday?”
“Yeah. It’s been fun.” I say as he kisses the top of my head. We have only been together for a month and a half, but I love him. Not that he will know anytime soon. While I can admit it to myself, I’m not ready to say it out loud.
“What are you thinking about?”
“Wishing I could take these boots off.” While not what I was thinking, it’s no less true. I’m wearing wedged boots and my feet hurt.
“We can try to sneak off back to the house or I can go get you another pair of shoes.”
“I don’t think we can sneak off. I’m tempted to just go barefoot. Knowing some of the guys they are probably already barefoot.” I say standing up straight, “We should probably head back inside before someone comes looking for us.”
Just as we get inside I take off my boots and chuck them in a corner. Said corner has a pile of shoes already. Tonight has been very fun, but I know I’m going to be dead on my feet by the time it ends.
———
November 20th
“You okay?” Carter asks sitting a cup of tea down beside me as I doodle in my art room instead of packing.
“This time of year is always hard. For the first two years after our mom passed Hazel refused to celebrate her birthday. She said it didn’t feel right celebrating without her.”
“What time is Zachery arriving?”
“Around 1.” I say picking up the cup to take a sip.
“Do you do anything special to remember your mom?”
“The four of us go to put flowers and just talk to her. Dad and Nathan go separate from us if dad decides to go. Some times he doesn’t. The first year that Nathaniel was with the coven he asked Zach and me how dad would feel if he asked to tag along.”
“How did he feel?”
“He appreciated it. Dad and Nathan travel to Nathan’s old clan for a few days around when Drew passed. Drew was Nathan’s first husband. Fun fact Nathaniel and dad learned while looking through old photos that mom and Drew were soulmates.” I say smiling at the memory of learning that. Hazel said while they didn’t get a chance to meet in life they are forever together in death.
“The world works in strange ways.”
“I’ll say. Drew passed away just over a year after mom did. He was a night elf and mom a night owl. She often stayed up late.” While I may not be blood related to her, I definitely take after her in that regard.
“Why do I feel like it would chaos if they were both alive?”
Laughing I reply, “Dad and Nathan feel like that would have been the case. Controlled chaos though. Don’t know how living arrangements would have been though.“
“Quick question. Shouldn’t you be packing?”
“Maybe.”
“Come on.” He says before picking me up.
“Put me down.”
“I will in front of your room.” He says kissing my cheek as he walks out of the room.
Once we get to the second level in front of our rooms Carter finally sets me down. Giving him an annoyed look I open my room and walk I leaving my door open. As I pull out my suitcase Carter walks in and sits in my desk chair.
“You staying to make sure I pack?” I ask laying my suitcase open on my bed.
“Maybe. You have two hours before Zachery is going to be here, love.” He says as I open my wardrobe making me pause to look at him. “If you don’t want me to call you that just say so.”
“No, it’s fine. No one really calls me anything other Ella except for my dad.”
“What does he call you?”
Stolen from its rightful author, this tale is not meant to be on Amazon; report any sightings.
“Little Moon, but it’s rare now days. I’ve always had a love for the moon and stars. Now I need a nickname for you.”
“I’m surprised you haven’t called me Pinky more than you have.”
“Don’t tempt me.” I say turning back to my wardrobe.
We don’t talk much as I pack. We have gotten a light dusting of snow, so I pack mostly sweaters and pants. I’ll be wearing my jacket and if I need a warmer one I can borrow one of Zachery’s. We actually don’t get snow often and if we do it’s usually only a dusting or maybe an inch or two. It’s been very cold lately and it’s suppose to dip into the upper 20s while I’m with the coven. Last month has been unseasonably warm, so the change in temperature hasn’t been fun.
———
November 24th
“Why did it have to start snowing?” Hazel complains as we walk to the coven’s cemetery. Most coven members who have died are buried here. Those who aren’t were from other covens and wished to be buried there when they died.
“I told you to put a hat on.” Zachery tells her putting the extra beanie he brought with him on her head.
“Thank you.” She replies fixing the beanie.
Once we reach the cemetery it doesn’t take long to find the Moonstar area. Daniel and Alec are buried in the area even though they aren’t part of the Moonstar family. In total only five family members are buried here. A lot are still alive plus there are many branches of the family, but none live in the coven. Most of the Moonstar branch don’t either, it’s really on those that have been leaders. I go and put the fake flowers I’m carrying on Daniel and Alec’s grave while Phillip puts the ones he is carrying on mom’s. We only put real flowers out during spring and summer.
“A lot has happened in the last few months.” Hazel says as I walk back over to them.
“Ella found a wolf shifter pack and moved there. I haven’t seen her happier.” Zachery says putting an arm around my shoulders.
“I feel like I can truly be myself there.”
“So it doesn’t have to do with a certain pink haired shifter?” Phillip asks joking.
“I’m not the only one to find my soulmate there. Phillip found his in a wolf shifter named Crystal. The pink haired shifter Phillip mentioned is Carter. He is the next Alpha of the Winter Moon Pack.”
“Don’t forgot Becca. Her soulmate is a cat shifter that lives with the pack. Zachery and Damien are soulmates.”
“Not only that. We are engaged and have been for about a month and a half. He moved back in July.”
“In 3-4 years Violet and me will be leading our own coven. The coven has grown so much we are splitting in two. We have land just north of the pack.”
We talk a few more minutes just talking about all that has happened over the last year. As the years have gone on it has become easier to talk and not cry as much. We still cry a bit as we say how much we love and miss her before we decide to back as we start to freeze.
(Simon’s POV)
“How are you feeling?” Nathaniel asks sitting on the couch beside me as I look through an old photo album.
“I’m okay. Seriously, I’m okay. I’ll always miss Kat, but the pain of her passing has lessened over the years.” I say leaning against him.
“What are you looking at? Is that Ella?” He asks pointing to one of the photos on the page.
“Yeah. That was her sixth birthday. She wanted to be cat, so Kat made her dress. She refused to wearing leggings or tights, so Kat made it out of wool and as long as she could. She couldn’t go floor length because even back then Ella was clumsy and accident prone. Glinda made the ears and tail.”
“What were the other three?”
“Hazel was a dog. Phillip was a pirate and Zachery was a zombie. Kat made the main parts of the outfits while Glinda made the accessories.” I say turning the page to show a photo of all four of them together.
“Becca was a princess a lot for Halloween growing up. Della alternated between being Marie from Aristocats and an angel. I think I have photos somewhere.”
“I was wondering why Della decided to be Duchess for Ella’s birthday and it now makes sense.”
“Aristocats is her favorite Disney movie hands down.”
We talk about the past and the kids growing up as we wait for Hazel, Ella, Zachery and Phillip to get back from the cemetery. Becca and Della are both currently at work. I visit the cemetery a few times a year to put flowers out. As the kids got older I decided to let them go on their own on this day. I do go on her birthday with them though. I haven’t decided if I’m going to today or not.
———
December 14th
(Zachery’s POV)
“How does it feel to be the leader?” Damien asks as we walk around town hand in hand with Patch. We are shopping for last minute Christmas gifts.
“Strange. It’s only been a few days though, so give me time to get used to it.”
“Violet is still trying to wrap her head around it.”
“It’ll take a bit for everyone to get used to it. I think Ella likes having a reliable car with how the weather has been.” I comment as we stop to look at a window display.
“She heading to the Amethyst Pack?”
“Yeah. Julien and Nicole’s birthday is Saturday, but she can’t be there. Bri and Kimber are getting married that day. She’s also dropping off and picking up Christmas presents as well. With the forecast calling for a lot of snow no one wants to drive 6 hours either way.”
“Will this be the first Christmas without her?” He asks, “This will be my first Christmas with the coven in six years.”
“Hopefully not. The two packs had planned to celebrate together on the 22nd. Hopefully by Christmas Day the weather will be a bit better. If the roads aren’t bad I’m going to pick her up the 24th.”
We have gotten three inches of snow so far and it’s currently lightly snowing. Patch loves the snow, but is not a fan of her boots and coat I make her wear. Midnight has buried himself in Damien’s hoodie pocket.
———
December 16th
(Ella’s POV)
“How are you two feeling?” Alex asks Bri and Kimber as she works on curling my hair. Today is their wedding and they decided all six of us girls were going to get ready together.
“Nervous, but excited.” Bri answers as she works on styling Ember’s hair.
“Excited.” Kimber responds as she works on Nina’s makeup. We are all helping each other get ready. Alex’s hair is so short that she’s not doing anything to it and Kimber put in foam rollers last night to give her hair a slight curl. Bri’s hair has a natural curl to it, so she has just pinned the sides back a little. Ember will be doing Bri and Kimber’s makeup while I do Alex’s. Bri put hot rollers in Nina’s hair before Kimber started on her makeup in an attempt to give it some curl. Ember’s hair won’t hold a curl at all, so Bri decided style is in a simple updo.
“The snow is so pretty, but it’s going to be so cold.” Kimber comments as she finishes up Nina’s makeup and starts taking out the now cooled rollers.
“Em, do you have an extra pair of gloves I can borrow?” I ask as Alex finishes my hair and we trade places.
“Yeah. I’ll get them before we head down.”
Before long Ember starts in Bri’s makeup. Once I finish Alex’s makeup I start on my own. The only person I let do my makeup is Becca. After we are finished with hair and makeup we get dressed. Kimber and Bri just told us to wear whatever formal dress we had. All of us are going to wear boots under out dresses as no one is going to see them. Kimber found some cute boots that go well with her jumpsuit. They got us nice coats to wear with our outfits so we won’t freeze. Bri’s dress is floor length with a high neck and lace sleeves. She said her grandma made it for her mom when she got married. The lace is actually from her grandma’s dress. Kimber’s jumpsuit has a little lace and beading at the top and sheer sleeves. While the outfits are different they go together well. Ember’s dress is a pale blue-green with a high neck which funny enough goes well with my pale sea foam green dress. Both Alex and Nina are in shades of purple, Nina’s is a bit darker than Alex’s. Both dresses are strapless. Kimber and Bri didn’t have a color scheme, but somehow out dresses ended up going well together. I think the guys are all wearing dress pants and a button up with a nice jacket.
“You both look beautiful.” Alex tells Bri and Kimber after we are all dressed.
“Thank you.” Bri says hugging Alex, “Let’s go see if Emily is ready, so we can get photos of the six of us and have time to warm up afterwards.”
With that we grab our coats and head downstairs. By the back door we find Emily, Jack and Andy talking.
“You all look lovely. Ready to take some photos while the guys get ready?” Emily asks holding up the camera she borrowed from Isaac’s mom, Journey.
“Yes. Hopefully we can warm up some afterwards.”
We head outside and notice it’s lightly snowing. It was already decided to do a couple of the six of us and a few of just Kimber and Bri with Jack and Andy. If Luca gets down here before we finish Kimber and Bri plan to take photos with him and Alex. If not it’ll happen after the ceremony which is when Kimber and Bri plan to do the couple photos.
(Ro’s POV)
“Rosabella!” I hear my father yell to which Lex and me share a wide eye look. He never calls me by my full name unless his pissed. Granted it’s come lately, but still no less terrifying.
Turning towards the direction of his voice I see him and Beta Mike walking over. Neither look happy. “Yes, father?” I ask once they are within earshot.
“I know about Sebastian and what the three of you have been doing behind my back. You two are luckily I haven’t decided to force you out of the pack.” My father says barely hiding his anger. Lex and me look at each other trying to figure out how he found out. We’ve done everything we could to be careful.
“I don’t know what you are talking about father.” I say faking innocence. This is not good at all. If we get removed from the pack it’s all over. My younger cousin is the only other person who can take over as Alpha. He’s only 14 which would mean another 12 years of my father being Alpha. Knowing my father he would do anything to make sure the next Alpha continues what my grandfather started.
“Your soulmate is a warlock and has been helping you and Alexis warn other packs about us.”
“What do you have against non-shifters? I’ll admit it. Sebastian is a warlock and my soulmate. I love him. As for warning other packs, you are wrong. We’ve been contacting packs who would be willingly to take members in. Our pack is far too big and I plan to help those leave who want to when I take over.” I say raising my voice to the point of almost yelling as I let my anger show.
“As Alpha of the Midnight Pack I…” My father starts before I interrupt him, “I challenge you for the right as Alpha by right of blood. The duel will be in wolf form and until one yields. Who ever yields will leave pack with their Beta never to return.” I say keeping my voice steady. I feel Lex stiffen beside me at my words. This challenge is not taken lightly and is rarely done. My mother never agreed with what my grandfather and father have done to the pack. Her pack was taken over by my grandfather. She did everything to make sure I saw what they were doing was wrong. I lost her when I was 7 years old and I made a promise that day I would fix things.
“Right here? Now?”
“If you are ready old man.” I reply confident in my ability to take on my father. He may be older, but from what I know he stopped training not long after taking over as Alpha. Add to the fact he rarely shifts these days. I run in my wolf form every morning and train with the rest of the pack 5-6 times a week.
“I am.” My father says before shifting and I quickly follow. His wolf form is completely dark brown while mine is a mix of shades of gray and white like my mother. Lex and Beta Mike move out of the way as other members come over to watch. I keep my eyes solely on my father waiting for him to make the first move.
———
After what seems like forever my father shifts back human with a look of pain on his face. He immediately sits in the grass. Since we can’t talk in our wolf forms shifting back human is a sign of yielding.
“Do you yield, Dirk?” Lex asks from the side not using the title of Alpha.
“Yes.” My father through gritted teeth clearly not happy with losing. I shift back and collapse to the ground trying not to pass out from pain and blood loss.
“I except you and Mike to be out of the pack by sundown.” I say as Lex hurried over to me. As Mike helps my father up and leads him away Lex wraps her arms gently around me.
“You did it.” She says as I lean against her, “Can someone help me get Ro to the clinic?” Danny hurries over before gently picking me up.
———
“Is she awake?” I hear Lex, I think, ask.
“I can hear you.” I mumble not opening my eyes or really moving as it hurts.
“How do you feel?” Sebastian asks as I feel someone brush my hair away from my face. Opening my eyes I look over at him with wide eyes before remembering I’m now the Alpha.
“Sore. How long was I out?”
“Just under three hours.” I hear Dr. Lovegood say as she walks over, “As you already probably know, no shifting for while.”
“I’ll just be happy to be able to breathe without pain.”
“You have four cracked ribs. Quite a few claw marks that required stitches and your right ankle is sprained. That’s not counting the scratches that don’t require stitches and all the bruising. Lex explained what happened. It’s going to be at least three months before I allow you to shift again.“
“Great.” I say annoyed, but also knowing it could have been a lot worse. Before she leaves the room Dr. Lovegood helps me sit up so I’m leaning against a mound of pillows. I probably won’t be able to leave the clinic until tomorrow afternoon at the earliest. That will all depend on Dr. Lovegood as she is strict, but one of the best doctors in the pack. She overseas Al the other doctors and nurses.
“I was so worried when Lex called saying you were in the clinic and unconscious.” Bastian says gently sitting on the bed beside me while giving Lex a pointed look. I immediately lean against him happy to have him close.
“I did eventually explain most of what was going on.” Lex defends herself from where she is sitting in the only chair in the room, “I’ve gotten word that our fathers have left already.”
“I’m a bit surprised to say the least. I thought they would have taken until the last minute.”
“Lex explain you were injured after a fight with your father. What happened?”
“He somehow learned about us and what we had been doing. At first I tried to play dumb, but my anger got the better of me. He was about to force Lex and me to leave. I had no choice if I want to change the pack for the better. While I’m sad to loose my father it’s better this way.” I say tearing up a little.
“At least you still have your aunt and cousin. I’m all my little brothers has left.” Lex says looking worried. Her brothers, Ian and Riley, are 12 and 15. Their mother passed not long after Ian was born due to complications.
“You know Aunt Ruth will help out. I will as well. Don’t forget Danny.” Aunt Ruth is my mom’s younger sister. When my mom passed away from cancer my aunt became like a mom to me. Danny is Lex’s ex, but the three of us have been friends since we were young. Danny actually found his soulmate a few months ago in a fairy.
“I know.” Lex replies before looking at Bastian, “Did you message the group?”
“Not yet as I wanted the full story. Here you can.” He tells her before passing his phone over. I close my eyes happy to be around the two people I love most.
(Ella’s POV)
“That was cute and very sweet, but I can’t feel my fingers or nose.” I say as Carter and me follow the others inside.
“I thought Ember was going to let you borrow a pair of gloves?” Carter asks we take off our boots so we don’t track snow everywhere. The wedding was simple and held in the backyard of the main house. Emily made their cake which is just decorated with a few fake flowers.
“I forgot.” Ember says hanging her coat over the stair railing, “Sorry.”
“It’s fine.” I say as Carter takes my coat, “I don’t want to know what Becca will say about me wearing this dress in the snow.”
“It’s really pretty. Gives me Yule Ball Hermione vibes, but sea form green.” Ember says at the same time Carter asks, “Why don’t you want to know?”
“She made it as a birthday present for me last year. The one time I’ve worn this before today it rained. She had to redo the back hem as it got muddy and nothing would get the stain out. She has no more of this fabric and it was discontinued.”
“As long as there is nothing on the hem she might never know. Unless she sees the photos we took.” Ember says as we head to the living where the others minus Bri, Kimber and Luca are. Kimber and Bri wanted some photos in the snow and Luca offered to take them. As we sit Carter hands me my phone and I notice a text notification.
Future Leaders
Bastian: Hi, it’s Lex. We have news
Ella: What kind of news?
Bastian: Ro is now Alpha
Ella: I thought she wasn’t taking over until May
Bastian: our fathers somehow found out what we have been doing and about Seb. Right as Ro’s father was going to force us out of the pack Ro challenged him for right as Alpha by right of blood. She won, so now our fathers are out of the pack.
Ella: is Ro okay?
Bastian: injured, but will make a full recovery eventually
Ella: I’ll the others know
Bastian: okay. Bye
Locking my phone I look at Carter while still trying to process what I just learned. I have questions that I did not have before.
“That was Lex texting using Bastian’s phone.”
“Is everything okay?” Emily asks looking a little worried.
“Yes. I have questions though.”
“Go on.” Carter says.
“An Alpha can force members out?”
“Yes. It’s not done often. Only in extreme circumstances is it done. If a member is forced out they can’t join another pack. It’s how some of the rogues come to be.” Jared explains, “It’s not widely known to most pack members.”
“What is the challenge role for alpha by right of blood?”
“Something that’s rare. It can only be done by the current Alpha’s kid. It’s a fight and the one who proposes the challenge can pick how it will end and what happens to the loser. Most that have happened end in one yielding and occasionally it’s a fight to the death. Typically the looser and possibly others are forced from the pack if it ends with yielding.” Jared tells me. It makes sense he’s the one answering the questions.
“Ro is now Alpha of the Midnight Pack. Apparently their father found out what they and Lex have been doing. Ro challenged him for role as Alpha. According to Lex both their fathers were forced to leave.” I say reading the text.
“All small packs are safe now. Hopefully there won’t be another one like the Midnight Pack in the future. We need to let Ciri know so she can reach out to Ro. They have the space ready to take in members.” Ember says happily.
“Maybe packs should look into making something similar to the Witch and Vampire Councils. Every other supernatural has some sort of ruling body except shifters.” Alex points out.
“It would take time and it wouldn’t be easy. It would probably be helpful to talk to the two councils on how to get started setting it up.” Andy advises.
“Setting what up?” Bri asks as she, Kimber and Luca walk into the living.
“Something like the Witches or Vampire Council to oversea all packs, so something like what the Midnight Pack did can’t happen again. Good news is Ro is now Alpha.” Alex lets them know.
“How? What did they do?”
“Challenge by blood right for role of Alpha. Ro so Alpha Dirk and his Beta are now out of the pack. Ro was badly injured, but will be fine in time.” I say.
“We now have three things to celebrate now.” Bri says looking over at Alex and Isaac.
“Really? That’s how you bring it up.”
“Yes. Just announce it already or I will.”
“Isaac and me are engaged as of the other day.” Alex says with the biggest smile on her face, “I don’t have the ring as we are having it resized.”
“It was my grandmother’s.”
With that we spend the rest of the day and late into the night talking, eating and overall just having a fun time. Who would have thought my life would change so much in six months. I found amazing friends who are like family to me, my biological family and my soulmate all because I got lost and had car trouble. I don’t know where I would be if Emily hadn’t stopped that day to help me. I’ve grown as a shifter and it’s thanks to not only the people in this house, but the entire pack. I know I have a while before I become Luna, but I know I can do it with all their support.