Whisper

~The Ceremony Part 2~

                                                                                  Chapter 18:

"I need to see if Willie is okay." I state, finally standing up. The spinning of Chase's enormous tent causes my body to fall back onto his king size mattress. "Relax Whisper. Focus on your recovery first and then you'll be free to check up on Willie", he suggests.

"How could you let them hurt him again?" I practically shout at him. "I had no choice. I had to prove to Shawn that-", "that what!?" I bluntly interrupt. "You don't even like Shawn." I accuse. 

"Whisper he's still the Alpha! If I didn't command the pack to hold Willie back someone else was going to do it. As the Beta I had to give the order. Nobody is going to take me seriously if I don't make tough decisions like that, especially Shawn!" Chase exclaims passionately.

"This is suppose to be a pack. Isn't a pack about trust and having each other's backs? You don't almost beat to death someone that's part of your pack." I argue. 

"No." He shakes his head approaching me. He positions himself so that his arms rest on either side of my body sinking into the mattress. He was so close to my face I could feel him breathing. "A pack is about loyalty and honesty. If the rank doesn't establish order and authority, there wouldn't be a pack left to lead." He corrects. 

"Just because you're in-love with Willie does not mean we all are. I'm the Beta Whisper, I have responsibilities that you might not agree with, but I still have to make them. Even if it means hurting you through Willie. Go check up on your boyfriend, I won't keep you here any longer." He spits straightening up and moving back, releasing me from his trap.

I examine him in disbelief, but slowly stand up from his bed. "You're an ass." I mutter bitterly.

Before I could fully exit his tent I feel him gently pull me back towards him. "Wait!" He sighs through his nose. I offer him the dirtiest look I could muster. "Good luck tomorrow night, you're going to need it. Pick Willie as your assistant for the preparations of the ceremony, I know you trust him. It's not fair that Shawn moved up the date." 

My face softens as he speaks. I could tell he was genuinely concerned for my well-being. "Just be strong." He whispers. I admire his blue grayish eyes for a brief moment and slowly nod. 

"Go." He nods letting me go. 

                                                                                     ~*~

                                            Tomorrow Night (Hour of the ceremony).

The hour of the ceremony had finally arrived. I pace back and forth nervously. "Are you ready?" I hear Willie's voice enter my tent. I quickly turn around to face him. "No!" I blurt out desperately.

"You didn't tell me anything useful for tonight. I don't even know what's going to happen. What kind of assistant are you!?" I exclaim throwing my hands up in the air. 

"Hey. Look at me." He orders. I obey and look into his light brown eyes. "Relax, you're going to be fine. I can't tell you much because it's against the ceremony rules, but I'll be right by your side. The pack will be be your witness, they'll be watching us. The ceremony consists of stages. There will be a designated member announcing what is required for each stage. Instructions, procedures, everything. You have to submit, there is no refusing or turning back. If you try to resist or back down there will be consequences so please Whisper, don't. 

You're strong. I know it, I feel it, I believe it. You belong here Whisper, even if you feel otherwise. You're one of us, and after tonight nobody will be able to deny that". He explains. I force a smile.

"And if I don't make it?" I ask. "You will", he dismisses. I sigh. "Wille, what's going to happen?" I beg for some clarity. "Look.." he begins placing his hand on my shoulder for comfort. "There isn't anything else I can say. If I do expose any predicament of the ceremony, they will hear me and I will get killed. If you thought I was on the edge of getting killed before, telling you more information about this would end me before I could blink. Just trust me when I tell you you're going to overcome each stage. I promise." He assures.

I nod. 

He bends down to pick up some fabric and a small box that was neatly resting on my mattress. "You're going to have to wear this without anything under." He states passing me the thin fabric. I open it up and examine it. It was a white silk robe. "So no underwear?" I question in panic. "No underwear", he repeats. I sigh. He offers me an apologetic smile. "I'll wait outside so you can change." He replies walking towards the exit. 

"Just close your eyes I'll be quick" I order. His feet halt. "Uh, um, yeah okay fine. That's fine, I'll face the exit of the tent so you won't feel uncomfortable." He retorts clearing his throat multiple times.

I remove my clothes and undergarments and put on the silk robe. I hugs my body tightly and marks my sensitive spots. "Done." I squeak. Willie turns around and tries his best not to stare. His cheeks turn bright red. I feel naked. I am naked. 

"There's one more thing." Willie states. I look at him. He holds up the box and takes out a blue crystal necklace. 

The crystal sparkles beautifully. I examine it in awe. "The blue obviously represents our pack's crest: blue feather. It's for good luck. I wore it for my ceremony and it really helped me get through it." He explains. I smile widely. "That's sweet." I comment. 

"I want you to have it", he confesses. I gasp feeling shocked and giddy about such an incredible and thoughtful gesture. "Wow thank you so much Willie!" I thank. I lift up my dark brown wavy strands so he can tie it around my neck.

The blue crystal rests perfectly right above my chest. I hold it gently. "Thank you", I whisper. "What are best friends for?" He questions. I laugh and tip-toe to plant a kiss on his cheek. I let myself linger for longer than I should, enjoying his warmth. 

I slowly pull away and find myself starring into his eyes. We stare at each other for a minute. "You ready for this?" He questions. I nod. Emmett's teachings spring through and I quickly respond with a "yes".

"Let's go then."

                                                                                        ~*~

I follow Wille out to the center of the site. The moon illuminated the night skies. My bare feet crunch down with every step I take. I try to walk as careful and slowly as possible so I wouldn't get splinters.

There was a fire in the center that separated the pack and the rank. The rank stood on top of a wooden stand and the rest of the pack sat in rows of chairs. Walking pass them made me feel like I was going to get married or something. I'm sure getting married was less scary though. I feel the pack's eyes on me as I walk up to the wooden stand. Wille and I stop right next to the fire. It's warmth calms me down a bit.

Shawn, Chase, Emmett, and Veronica stand firm and serious. I can't help but look at Emmett. 

The Alpha steps forward and lifts his hand to silence everyone. "We are gathered here tonight in honor of a new member who has decided to join our pack: The Blue Feather Pack. Tonight, if Whisper Armstrong is able to complete this ceremony she will become one of us. This ceremony will test her honesty, loyalty, strength, and self-control". Shawn booms.

"First stage: the vows and sacrifice of blood". Shawn continues to explain firmly. I watch as Veronica picks up a piece of fabric and steps down the stand. Once she is close enough to Willie and I, she reveals a sharp knife. I hold back my gasp. "It's okay." I hear Wille whisper gently.

"The traditional dagger!" Veronica shouts. She nods towards Wille. My head jerks towards him. He slowly grabs the knife. He nods indicating what I needed to do. I sigh through my nose and stick out my hand for him. My heartbeat accelerates within my chest. 

"Uh!" I winch and shout feeling the knife slice through my skin. My eyes shoot open examining my bloody hand. "Ugh!" I groan from the burning sting of the cut. Wille guides my hand onto a silver cup Veronica held. My blood drops into the cup. My body starts to tremble uncontrollably. I swallow some saliva and gasp. 

"Repeat after me." Veronica orders. Our eyes meet and I nod. "I Whisper Armstrong, promise to be faithful..."

I swallow again before speaking. "I-i, Whisper Armstrong.." I pause and take a deep breath. "P-p-promise" I gasp again. "To be faithful!" I winch from the pain. My vision fills with black dots but I somehow find a way to continue listening to Veronica and re-citing every word until completing the vow.

After the first stage Shawn allowed Wille to patch my hand up. We moved on as soon as Willie finished.

"Stage two: Fighting." The Alpha announces.

"You will face multiple opponents until you have successfully removed a blue ribbon from any of their wrists." Shawn further explains. I feel the thinness of the fabric from my robe. 

They want me to fight in this thing!?

"Fight!" The Alpha's voice rings. Before I could react I was already surrounded by five members of the pack. Three guys and two girls. I fix my stance and prepare myself to strike. I didn't last long on my feet when one of the members had knocked me down. 

I push myself up despite the pain. One of the girls strikes. I duck causing her to miss. I kick her away and elbow the other girl who was trying to choke me from behind. The three guys team up and knock me back down. They take turns kicking me around. I groan loudly. 

This was torture. I try to slap their feet away, but it was no use. They were too strong for me. One of them bends down and slaps me unconscious. After several minutes of getting almost beaten to death I regain consciousness.

I feel liquid running down my mouth. My feet and thighs were numb. My upper body was sore. Heck I probably had a broken rib. I was in so much pain I couldn't react from it. Not even a whimper could escape my lips. 

Right when my vision started to black out again I see a flash of blue. The ribbon. One of the guys had their ribbon tied around his ankle. I scream in pain to distract them from discreetly reaching towards the guy's feet. 

I gasp for air, tugging at the ribbon with the last remainder of strength I held. My hand clutches the blue fabric as my mouth savors the taste of blood and my eyes close shut once again.

I awaken to a moist towel being gently placed on my forehead and cheeks. "Willie." I call out. My voice comes out forced, like I had no air to breathe and speak at the same time. 

"He couldn't bear to come in here and see you like this." A male voice informs. I wheeze while forcing my body to sit up. "No, no, no please. Lay down. You have twenty minutes to rest before the next stage", the male almost pleads.

My vision is finally re-adjusted and I can distinguish who exactly was aiding me. The Omega.

I gasp and jerk away from him. "I'm just trying to help you." He states. "I want-to see..", I start wheezing. "I want to see Willie." I repeat after failing the first time. 

"He will come in after the twenty minutes are over. He doesn't want to witness the conditions you are in right now. I managed to wrap whatever needed wrapping and stop any swelling." He retorts.

I examine myself. "Can I see myself" I ask almost afraid to witness my reflection. He hesitates but passes me a mirror. I gasp in shock. I had a busted lip, a black eye, and bruised cheek. I could hardly recognize myself.

"You're going to be fine." He assures. I give him the mirror back. "You have a few more stages to go. You're almost done." He explains. 

"Are really trying to comfort me right now!?" I spit in anger shooting him a death glare. "I'm just trying to help you get through the ceremony." He retorts. 

"I don't need anything from you!" I growl. "Fine." He surrenders. 

"Get the hell out." I order. Emmett surprisingly obeys and walks out without uttering another word.

I close my eyes and try to forget about my aching body and the painful bruises that covered them. Before I knew it my twenty minutes were up and I was on my way to face the next stage.

I limp my way towards the rank. Willie walks beside me helping me stay up, I doubt I could get very far on my own. 

"I'm so sorry, I couldn't see you that way. You were so hurt, I couldn't-", "It's okay." I interrupt Willie weakly. "I get it." I assure him, tightening my grip on his arm. 

"Do you need me to slow down?" He questions sweetly. I shake my head no. "I'm fine, let's keep going." I assure.

We finally stand before the rank once again. I look at each of them straight in the eyes, a mix of emotions going through me. 

"Stage three: The Healing Waters!" Shawn announces. The rest of the rank reveal a pit that resembles a hot tub. The steamy waters rise up into the night skies. It looked so relaxing and peaceful. 

"Whisper will step into these Healing Waters on her own. This represents one of the many mystical abilities we as a pack and species posses: the power to heal. She will submerge in these waters. Once she rises up she will be one step closer to becoming one of us" Shawn explains.

"Whisper are you ready?" He questions. I stare into the Alpha's brown eyes and firmly respond, "Yes".

"Remove your robe and enter the Healing Waters." He instructs. I suppress a gasp. "What?" I question in shock.

"Remove your robe and enter the Healing Waters." Shawn repeats slower. A smirk forms on his face. I feel my cheeks turn hot as I look at the rest of the rank for answers. Veronica wore the same smirk as the Alpha Shawn. Chase offered me an apologetic smile. Emmett just stared at me emotionlessly.

I grab Willie's hand. "Willie..." I whisper. "I'm sorry Whisper those are the rules. We all had to do it." He informs.

"Well go on." Shawn insists amused. "Take it off", he grins with hungry eyes. I scoff in disbelief. "No!" I refuse. The pack gasps and erupts in chatter from behind me. Shawn laughs.

"Do you still think you can be the exception to these kinds of rules Whisper? You don't have a choice." He reminds. I glare at him as he speaks, still wearing that mischievous smirk on his damn face. "Take of the robe, you're not the first who does it and you definitely won't be the best." He states in annoyance. 

"I don't get why I have to do it at all!" I exclaim. "Does it look like I want to argue with you? Do you want me to come down and rip that robe off your body and throw you into the water myself?" He questions growing impatient.

"I-" I pause feeling my throat dry up. Panic rises within me as I look at every pair of eyes staring back at me. The whole pack was watching me! Waiting for me to strip naked and get in the water. I hold onto Willie tighter. 

"Whisper relax, you got this. Don't worry. It'll be over before you know it." Willie tries to comfort me from my nerves. His words don't help. My heart continues to pound loudly within my chest. 

"Take off the damn robe!" Shawn growls all of sudden. I jump in my spot releasing Willie. I take a deep breath and close my eyes. I could still feel the burning stares. 

My hands slowly reach for the top of the robe. I let out a shaky breath before opening the robe and finally letting it fall to my feet, revealing every single part of my body. 

I open my eyes and watch the rank watch me. Shawn smirks once again. Chase stares in awe. Veronica rolls her eyes and Emmett examines me attentively. The Omega's eyes roam up and down my body as if trying to absorb every inch before I managed to enter the water. He roamed so eagerly I could feel him touching me with his eyes. My chest, my waist, my thighs, everything. Everything. Emmett's stare had me paralyzed. I couldn't move.

Emmett's jaw slowly drops. He tries to suppress himself from licking his lips, but fails. Oh my God.

Falling out of the Omega's spell I make my way towards the pit/tub. As I draw myself closer, I can feel the hot vapor hug my body. I step inside and submerge into the warm water.

 Every aching pain, every swollen part, every bruise or cut had completely disappeared. The water embraced every part of my body and helped vanished any possible pain I still held. I felt so relaxed a moan escaped my lips. After a while I open my eyes and swim up to the surface. 

Rising from the water, I step out feeling a new sense of freedom. I stand on the wooden stand staring at the pack. I suddenly feel a pair of arms wrap my body with a towel. I gasp rubbing my face with one hand and grabbing the towel with the other. I turn around to face the Omega. We lock eyes for a moment. 

"Stage Four: Truth Serum!" Shawn pulls us out of the trance we found ourselves in. Emmett steps away from me and stands back next to Veronica. They give a few minutes to change into dry clothes and then proceed to the next steps. My attention falls to the Alpha. Shawn turns and looks at me, "see, wasn't that bad?" he shrugs referring to the healing waters with an evil grin. I offer him a death glare. 

He laughs. I bite my tongue so I won't say anything to him. Chase passes him a needle filled with a blue liquid. 

"Now.." Shawn begins with a smile. "I will inject you with this and you will have to answer every question sincerely. If you lie or fight back, the serum will make you experience the worst pain in your life", he explains. 

Before I could say anything or process this information Shawn had already stabbed my neck with the needle harshly. I scream in reaction to the sharp pain traveling my body. I fall to my knees in agony. 

"This is gonna be fun." Shawn claps and cackles. I do my best to shoot him a death glare but my blurry vision prevents it. I inhale and exhale sharply feeling the pain ease up every minute that passed by. 

"Now the rules are very simple Whisper. I will ask you a series of questions and you will have to answer them honestly. If you don't, well...you'll find out shortly". The Alpha explains in amusement.

"Rise." He orders. I obey and force myself to stand up and face him.

"What is your full name?" He questions. "Whisper Armstrong", I reply. 

"Any siblings?" He questions. "No, I'm the only child". I answer. The Alpha begins to pace back and forth, a concentrated expression plastered on his face. I grow anxious just by watching him. 

"Was it a lonely childhood?" He further interrogates. I hesitate for a second, but a different type of gut-wrenching pain threatens to overtake my body. "Yes!" I quickly blurt out, successfully stopping the pain from continuing or spreading.

Shawn notices and smirks. I look around nervously. 

"Who are your parents?" He asks grabbing my attention. "I-i don't know", I confess. "How did that make you feel?" He insists. I inhale then exhale loudly before speaking. "Like I was a mistake. They abandoned me and that made me question if everyone else in my life would abandon me as well. I felt worthless, like nobody understood what I was going through. I felt like an outcast, I hated it" I confess truthfully. Something about the confession made me feel more...free.

"Did you ever wonder who they were?" He questions. I nod, but the pain rising within me was not pleased with my response. I groan, "Yes." I correct my mistake. "Did you ever look for them?" He asks. "Yes, multiple times. Failed miserably every time." I answer.

"How did you feel when you found out you were a werewolf?" He asks. "I was confused at first, but it started to make sense. I started to understand why I enjoyed the woods so much and why I had this anger  within me. I understood why I liked to run and be on my own." I retort sincerely, smiling to myself at the last part of my confession. 

"How do you feel about this pack?" He questions. I pause, but not for long. "It's a mess.There's nothing to like", I spit. I hear a few gasps and whispers. "So you don't like us?" Shawn asks for a clarification with a raised brow. "Not one bit." I retort sourly. The whispers grow into chatters and scoffs.

"This pack is a disgrace and that's saying a lot because I've never met another one. Willie had told me that a pack is meant to be a family. We're suppose to have each other's backs, but this pack? Someone tries to defend another member or God forbid state their difference in opinion and you order others to beat them to death. You don't do that to your family! You disguise yourselves and make everyone believe that you're in favor of unity, hospitality, trust, strength, sincerity, and honor, but in reality you're all about secrets, biased order, twisted authority, envious competition, violence, and hatred. It's disgusting! 

You call yourself an Alpha? Try dictator! These people don't respect you, they fear you! Hell, they probably hate you as much as I hate you!" I scream.

Shawn stares at me intensely. There wasn't any amusement in his face anymore. "You got some nerve little girl", he begins sternly. "Questioning my best interests for this pack in front of everyone?" He questions. "You're going to pay for that. I'll show who's boss", he promises evilly. A gasp escapes my lips as he lunges himself towards me.

His fingers curl up and form a fist inside my loose wavy strands. I moan in pain. 

"Shawn she has the truth serum! She's only answering the questions you want to hear!" A voice interferes. The Alpha and I both turn to the owner of the statement. I was shocked to witness Emmett Cullen this railed up and defending me out of all people. 

"You're right." Shawn nods, his evil grin reappears. His dark brown eyes eagerly search mine. I hold onto his arm tightly. "Please don't hurt me, I'm sorry. I'm scared. Shawn please. Please." I beg tears filling my eyes. 

"It's Alpha." He corrects through gritted teeth and surprisingly releases me. I tumble back, rubbing the back of my head. I feel the crystal around my neck, praying for some comfort.

"You had any friends in your life?" He questions. "What?" I ask. A pain shoots up my body causing me to groan and bend down. "Yes!" I shout letting out a shaky breath. 

"Who were they?" He asks. "Shelby Ash and Steven Abner." I am forced to say. "That's it?" He cackles. "That's pretty pathetic." He comments. The serum forces me to fill him in. "The only ones that matter. I loved them. Shelby was my best friend and Steven was my boyfriend. I loved them. I loved her. I loved...him." I confess. 

I can't believe I just said that!

Shawn's eyes light up. "Would you look at that!" He announces looking around and clapping. "Our girl had a little lover!" He smiles. 

"Who do you love most in this world?" He questions. I bite my tongue. An excruciating pain overtakes my body. I collapse to the ground. Shawn repeats the question. I scream in agony. 

"who do you love most in this world?" He repeats. I scream louder. 

"Shawn that's enough!" I vaguely hear Emmett's voice say. Shawn doesn't listen. The pain grows stronger the more I fight back. "Stop! Please!" I cry. 

"Answer the question" he smirks. I curl up in a ball and groan loudly. "Shawn!" Chase chimes in desperately. "Come on dude this is torture!" He adds. 

Tears rush down my face and my visions grows blurry. 

"Who do you love most in this world!?" His voice rings loudly in my ears. "My Nana!" I shout. The pain begins to die down. I gasp for air. "My Nana." I repeat crawling around on the ground. "My Nana." I whisper rocking myself back and forth. 

The memories we shared together resurface my mind and my heart aches. I whimper loudly. 

"Why was that so hard?" Shawn questions crouching down next to me. I begin to cry harder. "B-because-she's-s-she..." I pause and try to relax. 

"She's dead Shawn. She's dead." I whisper to him. His hand slowly caresses the side of my head. I know he hated me and he was probably going to hurt me with the gesture by pulling my hair or something similar, but his gesture was the only form of comfort I was experiencing right now. My eyes briefly close shut for a second as I sigh and reach for his hand so he could keep it there a little longer. 

"What happened?" He insists. I knew he was toying with me! I knew it. 

"Please don't make me answer that." I beg him feeling the pain rising again. He repeats his question. I scream in pain. He holds my head in place. 

"Don't fight it Whisper. The pain will only get worse." I hear Willie's comforting voice say from a far distance. I look into Shawn's eyes. 

"I killed her."