My Alpha, My Home

The Ceremonies

    Amber woke up on the cool hard forest floor to the sound of birds chirping happily.  The sun was just starting to rise, its bright morning light filtering through the trees.  Amber was covered in dirt and could feel the dried blood caked on the left side of her neck from where Kade had left his mark on her.  Her muscles were deliciously sore.  She sat up slowly, propping her weight up on her arms as she looked around.  A bush a few feet away looked like a tornado had hit it and bark had been scratched off several of the surrounding trees.  The ground around her had claw marks dug in at least five inches deep.

    What the hell did y’all do last night?  It looks like you were in a fight. Amber said incredulously to her wolf.

    She didn’t get an answer; just a satisfied purr echoing in her mind.  Whatever happened, her wolf was one satisfied b***h.  Amber shook her head with a smile and brought her hand up to her mark, stopping short when she remembered how dirty her hand was.  She looked around once more, locating her mate a few feet behind her still deep in sleep.  Pushing herself on her knees so she could crawl over to him, Amber shook Kade’s shoulder gently to wake him.  His eyes opened and a smug grin took over his lips, the bottom one just slightly more plump and making Amber want to nibble it.

    “Well,” he said sitting up with a stretch, “I guess it’s time to go back and get ready for the ceremonies.  That was fun though.”

    Kade stood up and started walking back toward the town.  He stopped when he realized Amber was still sitting on the ground.

    “Come on, you’re filthy.  You need to shower.  I can’t introduce my Luna to the pack looking like a homeless dog,” he said, looking back with a frown.

    After all of that last night, comforting him and helping him when he was losing control, he was still going to treat her like that?  The thought flitted through Amber’s mind before she stood up.  Kade held out a hand to her as she reached him but she ignored it, instead stopping to shift before jogging off in front of him toward the town.  Obviously not taking lightly of the challenge, Kade shifted himself before running to stop in front of Amber, cutting her off and causing her to come to an abrupt stop. 

    Don’t you ever challenge me like that again.  I am your alpha and you will respect me.  He shouted through their link.

    And, don’t you ever treat me like some low-ranking dog.  I’m your equal counter-part and you will treat me as such.  I will not accept anything less and you better learn that quick or I won’t stick around for you to fix the mistakes that you will undoubtedly make if you continue acting like this. Amber didn’t yell at Kade.  She sent her thoughts to him in a calm, deadly tone that told him just how serious she was.

    She continued on her way, walking around him like he was nothing but a tree stump in her way.  Amber held her head high and continued on her path all the way back to Kade’s house where she left her clothes before her shift.  Kade had walked behind her the whole way, she could still feel his eyes burning holes through her furry butt as he made his way to the front door before shifting.

    He opened the door and walked in, leaving it open for Amber to follow.  She followed Kade to the kitchen where her clothes were laying on the floor.  He reached for a beer in the refrigerator while she put her clothes back on.

    “What are you doing?  You need to take a shower,” Kade said with a bite in his voice.

    “I need to wear something to get back to my dad’s.  My clothes are over there,” she replied, continuing to redress.  Amber wasn’t sure if she wanted to get away from Kade or continue the confrontation she knew would inevitability happen.

    “My mom and Kelli went shopping for you when they heard you were coming back.  There’s a bunch of clothes in the closet and I’m sure they’re all better than the old s**t you have at your dad’s house,” Kade said with a shrug, mentioning his younger sister.

    Amber was almost upset at his comment about her clothes before she realized that he actually did not mean to offend her.  He seemed sincere about his off-hand comment.  Maybe he thought that Amber didn’t want to wear the clothes at her dad’s house since they were old.  She decided to let the confrontation stay on the back burner for now.  Tonight would be important to the pack and she didn’t want to rile Kade up beforehand.

    Amber headed up the stairs to jump in the shower. She wanted to get the dirt and blood off her before she explored her new wardrobe.  Hopefully Kade’s mom and sister picked out things she would like.  Amber had never spoken to his mother before and the only contact she had had with his sister was in high school when she would pass Kelli in the hall.  His sister hadn’t been mean to her like the majority of her classmates had been, but she hadn’t been a friend either.  Kelli had been a quiet girl in school, mostly keeping to herself and focusing on her studies.  Amber hoped that they would get along so that she could have a female ally against her angsty mate.

    Wandering into the master bathroom, Amber found several plastic bags on the counter filled with several shampoos and conditions, deodorants, loofahs, and all of the hardware any girl would need to style her hair, in addition to various makeup products.  Kade’s mom, Charlene, and his sister, Kelli, had thought of everything when they went shopping for her.  Taking out a bottle of mint & rosemary scented shampoo and conditioner, Amber located a bath towel then got to work scrubbing herself with her new loofah and soap she found already in the shower.

    The feel of the hot water running through the strands of her thick blonde hair and sluicing down her body was heaven.  The heat on her sore and worked muscles was just what she needed. Steam overtook the bathroom, the invigorating scent of mint swirling around Amber.  The heavy air filled her lungs by the time Amber decided to turn off the water and prepare herself for what was next to come.

    The funeral for Alpha Gunner Roberts.

    The anointment to declare Kade Roberts as the new alpha of the Black Alder pack.

     And, the mating ceremony between herself and Kade, declaring her to be the new Luna of the Black Alder pack, the alpha’s equal.

    Amber braced her palms on the bathroom counter and looked at herself in the mirror.  She didn’t look like a Luna.  She looked like a poor little scared child.  Amber shook her head hard to clear the negativity clouding her mind.  She was meant to be Luna of this pack.  She was meant to lead them and she would do a damn good job of it.  Amber stood up straight and pushed her shoulders back, holding her head up high.  She could do this and she wouldn’t let anyone tell her otherwise. 

    That’s my girl! Amber’s wolf howled at her.

    It made Amber chuckle, a true smile gracing her lips.

    We are going to rock this.  Remember, we don’t take s**t from anyone anymore.  You’re the f*****g Luna and if anyone looks down on you, just execute them as a show of power.

    Amber laughed loudly at her wolf’s outrageous comment.  As if either of them would ever do something of the sort, unless it meant the pack’s safety, Amber’s thoughts turning dark.

    Shaking her head at her thoughts, Amber wrapped her hair in a towel and finished drying off her body before padding back into the bedroom in search of her new clothes.  Located in the master closet, her new wardrobe was at least double the amount of what Kade owned.  His mom and sister definitely went overboard shopping.  She flipped through the clothing, happy to see an array of jeans, darker colored shirts, tennis shoes, and flip flops.  Amber wondered if perhaps they had asked Tyler what she wore before shopping as that was what Amber felt most comfortable wearing.  There were also several pairs of heels and different dresses to choose from, some loose summer dresses and others more dressy meant for events.  Opening up dresser drawers located under her new shirts, Amber found panties and bras.  She blushed when she saw a few pieces of lingerie as well.

    Amber decided to go sans bra and panties for the ceremonies, instead choosing a simple loose-fitting black dress.  It would be an appropriate option for the funeral services and she knew she would be stripping with the rest of the pack to go on a run after the following ceremonies so the fewer articles of clothing to remove the better.  She slipped on a pair of plain black flip flops as she would be barefoot at the ceremony.  The closer to the earth and nature the better was the werewolf way.

    Walking back into the bathroom to comb and dry her hair, she found the bathroom to be filled with steam once more.  Kade was in the shower.  She was happy that he had let her finish her shower before getting in himself instead of joining her.  She had needed space after the words they had had earlier.

    Pushing the words out of her mind, she found her new brush and blow drier and got to work.  Kade was out of the shower before she had finished drying her shoulder-length mop of hair.  His eyes perused her body for a long moment but he never spoke.  Drying off, he walked out of the bathroom, allowing Amber to finish drying her hair and putting on a bit of natural-looking makeup.

    By the time Amber walked out of the bathroom, Kade was dressed and sitting on the bed facing her.  His head was hanging down, his shoulders slumped, and he was fiddling with his hands.  He looked like a man defeated.  Amber didn’t know what she should say or how to proceed.  Kade was an alpha, and for him to look this depressed was a big deal.  Alphas didn’t allow anyone to see their doubt or sadness.  They had to remain strong for the pack or everyone would crumble. 

    Amber took soft slow steps toward Kade.  She stopped in front of him and placed a hand gently on his shoulder.

    “Are you ok?” She asked her mate quietly as not to startle the air around them.

    Kade didn’t respond.  His head still hung low, his uncertainty so great that she could feel his emotions herself.  Amber gave his shoulder a comforting squeeze.  She might have been mad at him earlier about how he had spoken to her but he was her mate and his pain brought her pain as well.

    Kade grabbed her hand, pulling it off his shoulder and holding it in front of him as he slipped a ring on her finger. 

    So that was what he was fiddling with.  Amber thought to herself.

    Kade didn’t let go of her hand, instead rubbing his thumb back and forth over the large emerald stone that took occupancy of the ring’s prongs.

    “This is the Luna’s ring,” he said without emotion.  “Every Luna that has come before you has worn this ring.  My mother took this off after my father died so that the new Luna could wear it.  Yours is the first hand I’ve seen it on that hasn’t been my mother’s.”

    Amber didn’t know what to say so she stayed quiet.  She took her hand out of Kade’s and sat on the bed next to him, shoulder to shoulder.

    “Are you ready to become the pack’s Luna?” Kade continued quietly, emotion slowly creeping into his voice.  “You were right when you said it earlier, you will be the alpha’s equal counterpart.  But, you are also my mate.  My parents made it look so seamless, so easy to balance both.  I don’t know how to do that, I don’t know if I can.”

    Kade picked his head up and turned to look at Amber.  She searched for the right words that she both meant and that Kade needed to hear.

    “We’re both stepping into this at the same time,” Amber said cautiously.  Her voice became stronger as she continued, “We’ll learn together, we’re going to be a team and if one of us is struggling with something, that just means the other will have to pick us up.  That’s the only way this will work.  We’re never going to be the same people your parents were, but we will be as seamless as we can be, as long as you remember that we’re teammates here.”

    Kade didn’t speak for a long moment.  Then, he suddenly pulled her into his lap, hugging her tightly. 

    “Thank you,” he whispered.  The sentiment was muffled in her hair, his head buried in the crease of her neck.  “You’re the only one I can show my weaknesses to.  I know I’m a d**k and I know it’s not going to be easy, but I don’t know what I would do if I didn’t have you to stand by my side through all of this.  Ever since I found you at the pack bonfire, yours is the only face that I could picture standing by me.  I know I’m going to f**k up, it’s inevitable, but please just remember that no matter what I say or do, I will always need you by my side.”

      A fat hot tear ran down Amber’s cheek startling her.  She nodded, her throat feeling swollen; she didn’t want her voice to give away the emotions running through her at his words.  She decided to drop their argument from earlier.  He seemed to have come to terms with their equality and she told herself that right now was when they would hit the reset button and start their mate hood.

    Kade cleared his throat and disentangled himself from Amber.  Standing up, he smoothed out his loose black button down shirt.  His baggy black cotton pants were slightly tented in the front but he ignored his need, instead holding out his hand to Amber for her to join him.

    “Let’s get this whole thing over with,” he said, his voice rough betraying a hint of emotion.  “I need a quick drink if I’m going to make it through the funeral speech I have to give.”

    Nodding her head, Amber followed her downtrodden mate to the kitchen for one last beer before they exited the house and walked into the woods were the ceremonies were to take place. 

    By the time they reached the clearing where the pack would meet, Kade had donned an aristocratic air.  Gone was his doubt and sadness.  He put on the face of an alpha and was ready for the night to begin.  Before the funeral was to take place, the pack was to gather together to share a meal and celebrate Alpha Gunner.  Tables filled with food and drinks were set up on the side of the clearing with picnic tables taking up a large area to accommodate the pack members.

    Amber looked around, taking everything in.  This is where it all started.  This was where the pack held their bonfires, where she discovered that Kade was her mate.

    Kade grabbed her hand and gave it a gentle squeeze as she had done to him earlier.  She was pulled back from the thoughts of their past.  Amber looked up at Kade and gave him a small smile.  He nodded at her as if asking if she was ready.  She returned his nod. 

    Reminding herself to keep her head held high, she allowed Kade to lead her through the crowd already gathering.  As they passed, pack members lowered their head in quiet respect or gave their condolences.  Kade quickly located his mother and sister who both donned similar outfits as Amber. 

    “Hello, it’s so nice to finally meet my beautiful daughter-in-law,” Charlene said with a somber smile, giving Amber a hug.

    Kelli stood a few steps behind her mother.  She looked deep in thought and did not speak. 

    “Thank you,” Amber spoke, returning Charlene’s hug with sincerity.  “I am really sorry for your loss.  Alpha Gunner was loved by the whole pack and I know everyone will miss him dearly.”

    Amber heard a sniffle in her ear and a tight squeeze before Charlene let her go.

    “Thank you sweetheart, I appreciate that.  It’s a bittersweet day.  I lay my husband and mate to rest while getting to watch my son’s mating ceremony and alpha induction.  It makes me so proud to see his mate by his side and to see him take such a big step in his life of being alpha.  He was raised and trained to be the alpha but we knew that always meant Gunner would have to pass first.  Death is a part of life but losing your other half is a very difficult thing to cope with.   I hope you and my son have as wonderful memories together as I was allowed with my mate.”  

    Before Amber could thank her for the warm sentiment, Kelli burst into tears and threw herself into her mother’s arms.  Amber knew that Kelli had always been close to her father who everyone had known to be a doting dad.  Today was going to be a difficult day for her and Amber did not expect today to be the day to bond with her new sister.

    With a loud and deep breath, Kelli collected herself.

    “I’m sorry for the outburst,” she said to the group with her head down.   “Welcome to the family Amber, I hope we have the opportunity to get to know one another well and become good friends.  I always wanted a sister.” 

    Kelli gave her brother’s mate a watery smile.

    Emotion overcame Amber and she pulled Kelli into a hug. 

    “I would like that very much,” she whispered to Kelli.

    “Alright, let’s get some food,” Kade said, breaking up the emotional gathering.  He slung an arm around Amber’s shoulders to steer her towards the food tables.   

    “I can’t believe it’s already three in the afternoon,” Charlene said while grabbing a paper plate.  “We’ll spend a few hours here until it starts getting dark.  Then the pack will meet us at the rocky river bed for the funeral and ceremonies.”

    Amber nodded her head to show she was listening.  She caught sight of her dad waving at her from across the crowd.

    “If you’ll excuse me, I’m going to go say hi to my dad.  I didn’t get a chance to see him yesterday when I got back,” Amber said while walking off.  She missed her dad too much to wait for anyone to respond before jogging in his direction. 

    “Amber!  There’s my little girl,” Carl said, picking up and swinging Amber around in a circle once they reached each other.  “I missed you so much pup.  I wish you could stay at the house with me and Tyler so we could visit but I know you’ll be living with your mate from now on.  I’m happy for you,” he said with a smile.

    “I missed you too.  Maybe we can hang out some day this week to catch up,” Amber said with a question in her voice.

    “I would love to but I’m going out of town tomorrow for some pack border work.  I’ll be gone for at least three weeks,” Carl somberly informed.

    “When you get back, we can all sit down for dinner or something,” Kade’s voice came.

    Amber didn’t realize that Kade had followed her until now.  Her mate shook her father’s hand while they exchanged pleasantries and a moment of small talk before everyone’s attention turned back to the food table.

***

    An hour and a half later, dusk began to fall over the forest trees.  Kade stood up and slowly the pack quieted and brought their eyes to his commanding form. 

    “Thank you all for sharing this meal with us.  I hope that you have all had time to share your love for one another and create fond pack memories.  Celebrating life and love is a great treasure to keep in our hearts when darkness and death falls over us.  Tonight we are celebrating the life of my father and your alpha, Gunner Roberts.  If you will please begin to throw away any trash you may have and then join us at the rocky river bed, we will be saying goodbye to Alpha Gunner at sunset.  Thank you,” Kade’s announcement to the pack had been delivered in a strong booming voice; the voice of a commanding alpha. 

    The pack quickly cleaned up the clearing and made their way to the sight of the ceremonies.  Several hundred feet from the top of the rocks where the alpha’s family would stand, laid a pyre where Alpha Gunner would be placed during the funeral.  Taking her spot with Kade, Charlene, and Kelli at the top of the river bed, she looked down at the rest of the pack below them.   Everyone was solemn whereas in the clearing during the celebration of life, everyone seemed to be filled with a sense of happiness.

    This time it was Charlene’s voice that boomed with confidence, her voice giving a slight echo against the rocks.  “My mate, your alpha, has passed.   I stand before you strong but with pain in my heart at our loss.  We have celebrated his life and now we mourn his death.  Gunner was a powerful alpha and he will be greatly missed by all.  He was proud of his pack, a dutiful and kind leader who was always confident in the members of Black Alder’s abilities.  We stand here today to watch as he is put to rest.”              

    At that cue, four of the pack’s border patrol members came into sight.  Each supported a corner of a wood slab that Alpha Gunner’s body rested on.  They approached the pyre, laying the slab in the middle before bowing at the waist while taking several steps backwards.

    Charlene continued, “With this torch, I shall light the pyre my mate now rests on.   Let us have a moment of silence in his honor so we may think back on all the wonderful and powerful memories we have of our great leader.”

    Charlene approached the pyre with an unlit torch.  One of the border patrol members lit the torch for Charlene so she could light fire to the bottom of her mate’s resting place.    The smell of burning wood and flesh filled the air.  The sound of crackling wood and tears resonated off the rocks.  Amber’s heart clenched as she thought of the warm smiles the alpha would give her whenever she would see him.  She thought of how strong the pack had always been both financially, mentally, and physically.  Sadness overwhelmed her until a tear escaped from her eyes.  She felt Kade and Kelli each take one of her hands as they silently shared their emotions with one another.

    Fifteen minutes later, Charlene joined her family back on the top of the riverbed to address the pack once more. 

    “We are gathered here tonight for more than one reason as you all know,” her voice rang strong and absent of tears.  “Tonight we are also celebrating the rise of a new alpha.  Alpha Gunner’s firstborn and only son, Kade Roberts, is here tonight with us to take his place as Black Alder’s new alpha.  Let us kneel as Kade takes his blood oath to protect and lead the pack to come Alpha Kade.”

    The pack kneeled in unison, their faces up to gaze upon their new leader.  Amber and Kelli kneeled as well next to Kade while Charlene collected one of the pack’s ancient ceremonial knives.  She took her son’s hand in her own and sliced his palm, holding it above their heads before letting her hand slide from his to join the others in kneeling.

    “I, Kade Roberts, stand before you all tonight to swear a blood oath to every member of Black Alder.  I will protect this pack will every bit of my strength, provide for the pack with all that I am, and love this pack with every fiber of my being,” Kade paused in his speech.  “I am not Alpha Gunner.  There will never be another like him, and I will not pretend that his shoes can be filled in the same way.  But, I will be the best alpha I can be to this pack, I pledge you that.  If any member of this pack needs to talk, I will be here for you.  If anyone is hurting, know that others are hurting with you and I will stand beside you through it all.  As will my mate and your new Luna.”

    Kade reached out his hand for Amber to stand with him.  She took the hand he offered and, with the same knife that was used to cut his palm, Kade drew a slice through the middle of Amber’s palm.  Deep red blood welled up and trickled down her wrist.  Kade held Amber’s hand up above her head before continuing.

    “You knew my mother as your Luna and now I introduce you today to Black Alder’s new Luna, and my fated mate, Amber Park.  A Luna is the Alpha’s equal counterpart and his other half,” his voice boomed.  “Tonight she makes the same blood oath as I to protect and care for this pack.”

    Kade took a step back as a sign for Amber to say a few words.  It was not customary for a Luna to speak during a ceremony so she was not sure what to say to the many faces staring at her.  So many of those faces Amber recognized as the assholes who made her feel unwanted and useless.  Now, those faces were looking to her for guidance.  What a strange turn of events.

    “Black Alder, as our new Alpha has pledged,” Amber began, “As do I to protect and cherish each and every one of you.  Our pack is our family and we must stand together and stand strong.  I will always be available to lend an ear or a hand, all you have to do is ask.  I thank you for your presence and the love you have shown tonight.”

    The first howl sounded, vibrating against the rocks.  Amber looked over to see Kade, the new pack alpha, howling to the pack to signal the end of the ceremonies and the start of the first pack run with their new leader.  Everyone stood up and quiet chatter sounded as adults and teens began to strip and shift.   The younger children were ushered by the elderly back towards the clearing where they would wait for their parents and older siblings until the run was over.

    As more and more pack members shifted, the more howls sounded in the night.  Beside Amber, Kelli was undressing while Charlene had wondered off to stand by the pyre to look at her mate one last time before shifting and sending a sorrow-filled howl into the night sky.

    Kade nuzzled his furry face against Amber’s thigh as a reminder that he was waiting on her to start the run.  Smiling down at him and feeling her muscles flex and change, Amber let her own shift take her over, adding her own howl into the night before plunging into the dark woods after her mate who had just started the run as if chasing after a stray bunny.