Rising Sigma

Chapter Two

Chapter Two

[Leon's POV]

The house was nicer than I remembered, though being decked out in party decorations as opposed to mourning shrouds over all the paintings on the walls probably helped. The name Bright Phoenix certainly was apropos.

I hadn't had the chance to meet the former Alpha, not as equals at least. A few times as a slightly younger wolf when we held functions at our pack. From his portrait in the hall he looked to be a strong man. The artist was talented, though he looked younger than I recalled. I was appreciative of the artwork, even if I had no idea what techniques had been used. Good was good, and the painting was grand without being intimidating.

It was a matter of tradition to have a portrait done at some point during ones reign as Alpha, Marwan was waiting until he had pups before he had his commissioned as he wanted to showcase his family. Personally, I thought he was putting it off, and I didn't blame him, I was glad I wouldn't be required to sit for one myself, being a Beta.

"He was a good man, the Luna too, though we barely had a chance to know each other, I only joined the pack a few months before she died. The Alpha's parents were taken from us far too soon, I'm sure they'd have loved to be here tonight." I almost didn't notice the man approach me until he was right beside me. "You must be... the son of Beta Kurt, Gryphon Wing Pack, yes?"

"Yes, and you're..." I trailed off, taking in the appearance of the elder wolf. His hair was silver, shorn at the sides but long and plaited until it reached his shoulders, his eyes crinkled with age, though he appeared strong and stood tall. I nodded respectfully, recognising the man. "Beta Wesley. I don't think I saw you at the last two gatherings."

The fellow Beta smiled softly. "I had missions in the neutral lands to attend, I wasn't required. Though our new Alpha managed well without me from what I gathered." Ah, of course. "It's starting to make me feel old you know, but that's the blessing of the Moon Goddess, the chance to feel that way."

"Are you thinking of retiring soon then?" I asked.

"Oh not yet, my pups aren't old enough." He shook his head, a large smile broke across this face. "Don't listen to old Gamma tales, finding your mate young doesn't mean you'll be ah... fruitful..."

I nodded along as he continued, telling me about how he only had pups with his mate five years ago. "Anyway. The ceremony should be starting soon and I have a robe to put on. I'll see you afterwards perhaps?"

"Uhh, sure." He certainly was talkative, and didn't mind being the only person really holding a conversation. I was happy being the wall people bounced their thoughts aloud at. Sometimes that's what people needed.

He shot a thumbs up my way and left. It was always disarming to meet people like Beta Wesley, those who trusted easily.

I went to follow but he was already gone. Damn, I should have asked him before he left, this house was unfamiliar and I had no idea where the bathroom was. Marwan might not care for my presence at all times to be deemed respectful but I had very little knowledge of what the Bright Phoenix Alpha was like. I could hold it until after the ceremony.

I followed in what I assumed to be the same direction the other Beta had gone, trying to ignore the way the eyes of the portrait followed me as I left.

**

[Iodine's POV]

"There is so much of werewolf culture that is steeped in tradition. From our births, to our deaths, the Moon Goddess guides us, teaches us to become the best wolf we might be."

Yven had been practicing for weeks to get his speech right. As Gamma, he was the voice for the Moon Goddess here in the pack, the only wolf capable of directly speaking with Her at the full moon. The position was one of trust that he would speak Her words truly, and for the spiritual care within the pack.

"The Moon Goddess binds us as a people, She strengthens us. To deny Her will is to deny ourselves."

I watched the proceedings from the live stream being sent to the Elders who were unable to travel to us. Yven had the last speech before I'd take to the ballroom. The pack had really outdone themselves with the red and orange decorations, and they looked tasteful rather than tacky in the ballroom. The floor had been buffed to remove every scuff and blemish on the pale oak.

The sleep did me good as well, and I still had plenty of time to prepare for the ceremony. My father's Alpha robe had been altered for the occasion, and I made sure I didn't have a hair out of place after I pulled it into a chignon.

The long oval dining table was surrounded by our allies and neighbours, each dressed formally with a sash of their pack from shoulder to hip.

"It is without further ado, I welcome our Alpha to join us, to take on the mantle she was destined to have. Please welcome, our Alpha, Iodine Polaris!"

Taking my cue I stood up and came out from behind the curtains. In place of a chair at the head of the table, a few short steps allowed me to carefully ascend up until I was truly, the centre of attention.

Alphas never swayed from such attention, a shirking violet could not lead. Whether in violence or calm, one had to be comfortable with all eyes upon you. I steadied myself, bare feet apart and arms neatly bent as to clasp each other at the small of my back. I took in a deep breath when the most delicious aroma hit me.

That scent was undeniable and I felt winded from it, it was aniseed and mint, drilling through my entire being. It took every ounce of effort on my part not to move, training my face as neutrally as possible. I felt like I might be shaking despite myself, and spared a glance to the side where my Beta and Gamma stood in robes that matched my own.

Neither seemed to have noticed anything out of place. Good. "Alpha!"

Beta Wesley was the first to raise a fist before bringing it down to his chest, bowing his head.

One by one the wolves in the room copied him and I dared not move my gaze from my own pack in case I spotted him. My self control needed to be perfect tonight. This wasn't going to ruin it.

Was this your idea for keeping me awake?

As if I'd known.

You wouldn't have let me sleep at all.

I won't let you sleep when you find him either.

Not tonight. We have our duties to attend to, there are far more important things than... that.

Sometimes, having a wolf was useful, at other times, it felt like reigning in your baser desires that could burst forth at any moment. At this precise moment, it was the latter.

The last to bow his head was my Gamma, as tradition dictated, and I returned the gesture and bowed my own head, feeling the bonds between the packs suffusing into my authority.

A great weight that I hadn't even noticed I was carrying felt like it lifted from my shoulders. Instinct took over as I fell onto in palms, and my body started to contort, bones and joints snapping in and out of position.

Our ceremonial robes were built to untie at the seams for this very purpose, and it fell around me on the table. Finally, I raised my head and howled at the ceiling.

The room erupted in applause, and I barely managed to pad around the table, bowing my snout at each of the Alphas that helped give me the true authority to lead before I hopped off. My self control was at the very limit, and I needed out of this room.

"Gamma, gather my robes for me and meet me upstairs. Wesley, please allow the kitchen staff to start the meal. We'll be down shortly." I linked my two pack members as I passed them, leaving the room. I would shift back when I had my robes again.

I was almost certain that had to be it - nothing else felt like the first pull of the mate bond. Though that meant Yven had been keeping a secret from me, the Moon Goddess wouldn't have sprung that on me without at least warning him beforehand. With so many wolves in the room I hadn't been able to figure out which my mate was, but I could feel a burning in my blood that cried out to hunt him down.

I needed to ignore this. It should have been a different night. A night where I wasn't going to be under a magnifying glass perhaps? But ignoring something like this wouldn't have been a good plan, I would be a poor Alpha if I didn't at least confirm my suspicions.

**

[Leon's POV]

As soon as I could leave the room without my presence being missed, I ran.

Partly, because I needed to find that bathroom ASAP. I linked Alpha Marwan my excuse and helpfully, he remembered where they were from last year. Thank the Goddess.

"You looked like you've seen a ghost, man." His voice filtered through my head. I swear I could hear him restraining a laugh.

"Get the Ghostbusters then." I snipped back, blocking him out of my head when I found the bathroom.

Marwan and Rachel were insufferable about me coming tonight. Why did I relent to their pestering? My father should have been here, not me. It made me suspicious that they'd already known what was going to happen.

It was a blessing there had been so many people there, I should have got lost in the crowd with that many wolves and their scents. Each one of them would have been projecting their aura by the final swearing. I should have been masked by that lucky happenstance.

I had to think of a plan to get away from this pack pronto.

What are we doing now? A growl broke through my mind like barbed wire.

Leaving.

After we found our mate!? Do we not want our Goddess given mate? The other part of me, my wolf, was not pleased and I sighed deeply, trying to think of the best way to explain it.

You see with the same eyes I do. We do want our mate. Which is why we're leaving.

You wish to leave. I do not. I can quite easily take over and force you to stay. Force our mate to discover us.

No! I mean... s**t. You know why we can't stay. Be reasonable.

I should be reasonable! You are denying what we both want.

But not now! Think with something other than our balls.

He whimpered in my head at the accusation but it didn't matter. I could deal with that later. For now, I needed to leave, I could link Marwan, tell him I'm not well - he would believe me. I'd take the car home and have another pack member come pick the Alpha and Luna up tomorrow. Solid plan.

Running away will not work.

And what, pray tell, did you come up with then?

It is the Alpha ceremony for our mate, she will not want to act on anything today. We speak to her. Explain our situation. She will understand.

And she could reject us for it!

Then she would not be a worthy mate. I will not let you leave, but I will not force you to do anything else.

I went to wash my hands, trying to figure the best way to explain this aloud to even myself. None of this was fair. I didn't think I was... no, I knew I wasn't ready.

I couldn't help myself think about that moment when her honey cinnamon scent hit me. Every muscle in my body screamed out to jump up onto that table myself, to mark her as my own regardless of the witnesses. And her wolf. Moon Goddess above... If not for a shred of sanity I clung to, I might have upset the entire evening. I could have ruined any hopes she had of claiming her pack.

I started to walk across the foyer when it hit me again. I wanted to move my legs but found myself rooted to the spot.

Do not run again.

I looked up the stairs to see her, and like myself she was transfixed. I'd heard the term "statuesque" before, and it always conjured images of the ancient Roman marble goddesses, but the word truly encompassed her. From the classic way her ashen hair piled on her head to the manner she held her body. I drank in the sight like I was dying of thirst.

The mate bond was a dangerous thing. She was attractive, that part was undeniable. But had I looked at her like this before? I'd be lying if I said yes.

"Gamma Yven. Tell our guests I will be busy for only a little longer." Even her voice made me feel weak at the knees. The Gamma briefly glanced in my direction as he walked past - the man knew. "You... we need to talk, follow me."

I was a dead man. Every word I'd been sure of saying mere moments ago died on my tongue before I could form them.