In This Life or Another

Chapter Two: Happy Birthday and Changing of the Guards

Henry's POV

I woke up to the sunshine on my face through the cracked curtains in my room, Mentally cursing the omega who didn't shut them all the way. Then I hear my father's voice in my head

"I want to see you boys in my office in 10 minutes."

"Yes, father,"

I replied groaning, I got out of bed, washed up, and then dressed for my first day of adulting. After making my way to the kitchen to grab a cup of coffee and a banana, I knocked on my father's office door.

"Come in ''

Striker was in the chair across from my father's desk. He turned and nodded his head in my direction. I mind-linked him

“Do you know why he wants to talk to us?"

"No, I was hoping you would."

"I got nothing."

My father cleared his throat. "Are you two done with your inner monologue? Henry sit."

I walked over to the other chair next to Striker and sat down.

"Good morning to you, father," I said with a hint of sarcasm.

"You know that for being the future Alpha King it would be in your best interest to show some respect, Henry. I'm in no mood today to deal with your attitude. First, happy birthday to both of you."

. "Thank you, Father,” Striker replied.

I, on the other hand, remained silent, as my father sat back down in his chair and I finished my breakfast.

"Boys, it has been brought to my attention that some of the warriors found 3 dead bodies along the far east border. It appeared it was a family, the child couldn't have been more than 5."

"That's horrible," I said in my own little world.

"Starting tomorrow, the two of you will be in charge of getting to the bottom of the killings. You will both work together. This will be kept to ourselves until we have proof of who is doing this. Do I make myself clear?"

"Yes Father'' we both say in unison.

For the remainder of the day, my mother and father greeted the arriving packs who were attending the ball tonight. I, on the other hand, found a cute little omega to help me pass the time.

"Dude, where are you? Avery just got here?" Bas said in my head.

"Not a good time. Busy with ... hell I don't even know her name."

"Henry? Are you f*****g serious right now?"

"Is that her name?" I replied.

Six other packs have arrived and are settled into their room. Dinner will be held in the grand ballroom with the birthday celebration to follow. Avery will be accepted into the pack and Striker and I will officially be given our titles. I dressed in my tailored suit and made my way to the ballroom.

The smells and noise hit my senses first. As I walked in, I went over to my mother, did my usual bow, and kissed her hand. Then I walked over to the guys and sat down at the table.

"Where is Striker?" I questioned.

"If you had come down earlier, you would have known that Striker had taken a liking to this chick named Sarah. She's the daughter of Alpha Conner and Luna Beverly. I bet she's his mate", Bas said, agitated.

"No s**t, you don't say."

" Yeah, he gave her a tour and hasn't left her side." Duke chimed in."

As the night went on, we all ate, drank, and danced. Then, around 11:45 p.m., my father stood up and announced for Sebastian and Avery to come up to the stage.

“As they approached, my father began. "Sebastian Paul Fitzgerald, future Beta of the Sorrento pack, do you accept Avery Nicole Patterson, daughter of Alpha Reeves, and Luna Ingrid of the Black Lake pack as your Goddess-given mate?"

"Yes, Alpha I do," Sebastian said, looking so proud and in love.

" Do Avery Nicole Patterson accept the future Beta of the Sorrento pack, Sebastian Paul Fitzgerald, as your Goddess-given mate. Do you pledge your loyalty to the Sorrento pack, and to its present and future Alpha and Luna?"

"Yes, I do Alpha Roland. And yes I love you Bas", Bas pulled her to him and kissed her like he was a dying man. The crowd cheered, and my father introduced Avery as our newest member.

Henry's POV

After the commotion of Bas and Avery, I looked up to see Striker talking to someone with his back towards me. Knox was pacing and seemed quite agitated for some odd reason. I thought because it was almost midnight, that he was anxious about turning 18 and getting our title. Maybe our mate is here... who knows with Knox. I mind-linked Striker.

"Brother, it's time to go to the stage."

He glared over his shoulder at me and growled. Then he kissed someone on the cheek and walked towards the stage. Whoever he kissed appeared to be shadowed by some of the decorations because I couldn't quite make out her features. At least I think it's a she. You can't be too sure about Striker, since we have never actually seen him with a female.

"Ladies and gentlemen, special guests and everyone who can hear my voice."

My father then turned and held out his hand out to my mother who graciously took it and stood next to him.

"My queen and I want to thank everyone who has come out tonight to celebrate with us the birth of our sons Henry and Striker. As everyone is aware, Henry will become the next Alpha of the Sorrento pack and Striker will be charged as his General. Henry..."

My father motions for me to come up front and, like the good boy that I am, I reach my mother first. She gently rubs my cheek, then I kiss her hand and go to my father.

"Alpha ''

I say. On the altar in front of us is the dagger and chalice with our family crest on them. my father picks up the dagger and faces me.

"Henry son of Alpha Roland and Queen Luna Grace of the Sorrento pack. Do you pledge to the Moon Goddess herself that you will honor our laws, and uphold the integrity and virtue of the Sorrento pack and its members? To lead the lost, and guide the weary. Protect all who ask and those who can't."

" I do Alpha," I said as I released the breath I didn't know I was holding.

My father reached for my right hand and took the dagger across my palm. He then took the chalice and filled it about halfway with my blood. My mother then took a small scarf with an embroidered S on it and wrapped my bleeding hand. She then bowed her head to me and said,

"My son, my Alpha, being a man isn't about growing up when you turn 18 but knowing another's value and loving blindly."

"Striker"

My father projected.

Striker walked past their mother and hugged her and then went to father. Striker stood at attention like a good soldier.

"Striker, son of Alpha Roland and Queen Luna Grace of the Sorrento pack. Do you pledge to the Moon Goddess herself that you will honor our laws, uphold the integrity and virtue of the Sorrento pack and its members, to lead the lost? And guide the weary. Protect all who ask and those who can't."

“I do," Striker said with no emotion.

“To protect all the Sorrento pack members. To be fair, firm, and consistent in your judgments, To help guide Henry in his charge as Alpha, and if Henry should fall, step into his place as the next Alpha of the Sorrento pack. "

"I do Alpha ''

Striker solutes my father and bows to our mother. Father then handed Striker the chalice.

"Striker, you must drink from this chalice and bind yourself to Henry as the General of his army.”

As Striker drinks, my father announces "Henry has named his court. Will the following men please come onto the stage? Sebastian -Beta, Duke-Gamma, and Warren-Delta."

The three of them came up on the stage.

"Do you pledge your loyalties to Henry, to the Sorrento pack, and to the Moon Goddess herself? To uphold our laws, to protect our members, and, above all, lead with strength, kindness, and humility in the face of danger or nonsense."

In unison, all three say "Yes Alpha.''

Father then hands Bas the chalice and he drinks and the other two follow. As the bells ring out at midnight, the five of us stand on the stage and my father bellows

"Ladies and gentlemen, I give you Alpha Henry of the Sorrento pack. First, General Striker of the Sorrento pack, Beta Sebastian, Gamma Duke, and Delta Warren of the Sorrento pack." the crowd goes wild chanting

"Long live Alpha Henry, long live General Striker, long live Sorrento."

Knox was howling in my head and, to be honest, it was a rush like I'd never felt before. I hope it never ends.