Night and Day: The Alpha Nomad

Harvest Feast

Night-

The majority of the afternoon was spent following Damon around as he caught up with pack members from remote parts of the territory. I felt very unwelcome and awkward when meeting the strangers. I had very little to say and felt like a shy shadow trailing Damon around the yard.

He was a natural leader listening to all the pack members who had concerns and finding common ground with them so they didn’t feel ostracized. His smile lit up the room, so to speak, and he laughed at all the jokes, even if they weren’t so funny. He was very diplomatic despite his youth. His pack respected and trusted him as their future leader. But would they accept me if he named me as his mate? Would they welcome a total stranger as Luna?

He must have sensed my uncertainty because he immediately began to hold my hand and smiled at me. I felt comforted by his smile, soft eyes, and his touch. I feigned a smile in return so he would not continue to worry about my skepticism.

Just a little longer and we can sneak away from the crowd, I promise, I heard him promise via our link.

I don’t want to take you away from your pack, they love you and want to speak with you, I reply. Don’t worry about me, I’ve just never been around such a large pack. My pack wasn’t nearly this big.

It wasn’t a lie, my pack was maybe half of the Red Feather pack, but we also didn’t have a territory quite this expansive either. Many of these pack members traveled across mountains to join the Feast, so it was no wonder they were so excited about meeting the Alpha who would soon lead them. Many of them brought gifts and treats to add to the Feast and for their Alphas.

“Let’s see what our young has provided to the Feast,” Damon’s father announced to the pack and a defeating cheer erupted into the setting sun.

The omegas brought out platters of venison barbecued and roasted to perfection. My mouth began to water, and I smiled when I recognized the buck that I helped Damon hunt. It brought back memories of that night and I squeezed Damon’s hand slightly. He noticed and slid closer to me grazing my shoulder with his muscular arm. A couple pack members had already noticed our intertwined fingers and gave Damon an impish grin. He must not have noticed the taunts because he continued to beam at me sincerely.

Your people are staring, I informed him.

Let them, he replied nonchalantly. You are the only thing I’ve noticed all night.

I blushed and turned my gaze away from his. A moment later, Damon’s hand was torn from mine. I noticed Delphie was dragging him up towards the porch where Fen was already standing. An applause began for the trio and Fen bowed comically. He seemed to be the clown of the group and enjoyed his moment in the spotlight.

“These are our brightest young members who will be initiated tonight due to their generous donations to the Feast. After we fill our bellies we will meet at the Crescent Pond to begin the initiation. Enjoy!” The Alpha declared to the pack effervescently.

Damon shared his father’s beaming smile, and soon I would discover his laugh as well. The pack began to fill their plates with delectable goodies like candied yams, slices of venison, and a cornucopia of other treats. I hadn’t tasted anything as delicious as the food served during the Feast. My mother used to cook Feasts every fall, but sadly I forgot what her cooking tasted like after ten years.

When the meal was finished, pack members began to work their way into the woods to shift for the run. I noticed Damon unbuttoning his shirt to reveal his athletic chest, and a primitive and lustful growl brewed in my chest. A nearby female giggled at my growl causing my cheeks to burn in embarrassment.

Damon approached me with an outstretched hand. He smiled and encouraged me to follow him into the woods with him. I didn’t think you’d want to shift with my pack watching you.

How thoughtful of you, I smiled at him with a teasing grin. You sure you didn’t want me all to yourself.

You caught me and my ulterior motive, well done, he smirked at me. I’ll shift first if it makes you more comfortable.

I nodded shyly and his golden red wolf emerged. He circled me and nuzzled me to entice me to shift. I took the hint. I slid out of the dress that Delphie provided for me not wanted to completely destroy such a gorgeous gown. My wolf itches at the surface and immediately emerged. I shook my black fur and adapted to my wolf form.

A howl rang out in the night sky and other joined in unison. Damon darted in front of me and barked playfully to follow him. I wagged my tail like a pup and leaped towards him in full sprint. It was like the first night we ran and his pack members disappear around us leaving just the two of us. I shut out the events of last week as if it has never happened. I pounced on him playfully then he rolled me onto my back. He licked me flirtatiously and I nuzzled his neck in return feeling so natural with him. The world around us seemed to fall away when I was with him.

Another howl sounded in the night, signifying that the Alpha had already made it to the Pond. Damon howled in response informing them that we were on our way. He ran towards the pond with me in tow. I felt ashamed for distracting Damon when this was probably the most important night of his life.

After the initiation we will have plenty of time to run, don’t worry, Damon linked sensing my shame. I’ll have you all to myself for the rest of the night.

We entered the clearing where the rest of the pack was waiting. I noticed an impatient glare from Delphie, but a teasing impish grin from Fen. Damon held his head high as he strut through the crowds towards the ponds edge. I wasn’t sure where to go so I stayed towards the back of the crowd.

The pack began to shift back to their human forms for the ceremony and I immediately began to feel incredibly awkward with the number of nude bodies surrounding me. Damon smiled and nodded silently at me as if to grant me permission to remain a wolf. He knows how shy I am and knew I would feel more comfortable in my fur.

“As you all know, we are here to initiate these pups as adult members of the pack,” Damon’s Alpha father called out into the chilly night air. “They have demonstrated their ability to hunt and provide for their pack. They provided a bounty which filled our bellies tonight. Tonight they will choose their roles in our pack and begin their journey as mature wolves.”

I felt eyes staring behind me, but decided it was just my insecurity around the naked pack. I watched as Delphie walked into the water and sank beneath the surface. She emerged dripping in the moonlight and let out a deep howl.

“I am Delphie, member of the Red Feather pack,” Delphie announced proudly. “I choose to join the Patrol Unit until my mate calls me.”

The Alpha nodded his head in approval and replied, “Welcome Delphie of Red Feather. We will gladly accept you into our Patrol Unit with your prowess and valor. You will be a valuable member of our pack.”

Delphie returned next to Fen who stepped forward and plunged into the water. Water nearly splashed those close to the water’s edge. The crowd erupted with laughter at the comical scene of this lanky, unwieldy man in the water. He leapt out of the water flinging his dark hair back like a model in some swimsuit photo shoot, generating more laughter from the pack.

“I am Fenrir, member of the Red Feather Pack. I have decided to announce my mate tonight,” Fen proclaims. “The Moon Goddess has spoken to me and chose Delphie as my mate. Should she accept my proposal, I will not stand in her way as a member of the Patrol Unit.”

Delphie beamed at Fen, clearly already expecting his announcement, “I accept your proposal and the Moon Goddess’ decision to be your mate, Fenrir.”

The Alpha glowed at the announcement and announced, “What joyous news! We shall hold your mating ceremony during the next full moon. Congratulations to the happy mate-couple.”

An applause rang out among the pack and a few whistles sang out the approval of the members. There were no contestants to this request so the ceremony continued. I still felt eyes digging into the back of my head, and my fur raised unexpectedly. I felt an unwelcome presence in the woods growing.

“Last, but not least, my son,” Damon’s father proclaimed.

Damon waded into the water stoically. He as far as he could then swam into the center of the pond. He dove deep beneath the waters, but before he could emerge a gunshot resonated into the night.