My Best Friend's Alpha

12.

Lana

I haven't seen the pack in full since the night of Nial's birthday. Butterflies dance around my stomach as I decide what to wear to the Alpha Ceremony. This should have been a joyous occasion for me. I should have been standing next to Nial, the man I love as he is initiated as the new Alpha and I his Luna. Now I've been cast aside for my once best friend. There's a knock at the door followed by my mom peering her head around.

'Hey Lana, we'll be leaving in 20 minutes, how are you doing?'

An audible sigh escaped my lips. She came to sit next to me on my bed.

'I know this will be difficult for you Sweetheart, I wouldn't ask you to go if you didn't have to be there but I'll hold your hand the entire time if you want me to'. She placed a hand on my back.

'Thanks mom.' I smiled a genuine smile at her, she is so supportive and such a fantastic mother to me.

'Will you help me find something to wear?'

Her eyes lit up, I hadn't asked her for fashion advice for a few years now and I knew deep down she missed it.

'Let's see what we have then' she said as she rifled through the wardrobe before pulling out an emerald green knee length dress and a black cardigan to accompany it.

'I think you should wear these with your black sandals' she insisted with a nod of her head. 'They are classy but understated. You will look beautiful without standing out too much which is what I'm sure you would want for tonight'.

She was absolutely right, I didn't want to stand out tonight, I wanted the ground to swallow me up instead.

'Great choice Mom, thanks' I smile weakly.

'I'll wait outside for you' she muttered while walking towards the door.

I quickly dress and glance at myself in the mirror. Deciding this was as good as I was going to look tonight, I strolled out to meet my parents.

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Mara

Standing here watching my daughter get ready, I realise just how grown up she is now. She looks beautiful in her mid-length black satin dress with her hair pulled up at the sides, trailing curls down her back. We're getting ready for tonight's Alpha Ceremony, I know she's nervous about seeing everyone again but I've already reassured her that nothing will be mentioned about the Luna position tonight. She puts in the silver dangly earrings we bought her for her 18th and smiles sweetly at me.

'What's wrong Mom? She asked, her eyebrows now furrowed.

'Nothing sweetheart, I was just thinking how grown up you look'

She walks over and embraces me warmly.

'Don't worry about tonight, okay? Deena said that there's no pressure. Tonight is about Nial only' I remind her gently.

'Thanks Mom, I'm ready to go'

Magnus appears from the bedroom and puts on his suit jacket. He stops when he sees Meela.

'Honey you look beautiful' he gushes, placing a kiss on her forehead. 'But we better get going otherwise we'll be late'.

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Nial

Beads of sweat gather at the nape of my neck, my legs quiver with each step I take towards the back of the hall where my father waits expectantly. My mother tears up at the sight of me in my navy blue tailor fit suit.

'My boy, you look so smart and handsome' she declares, reaching up to place a hand on either side of my face.

My father clears his throat.

'Very smart' he nods in agreement. 'It's perfectly normal to feel nervous Nial, but you are ready' he reassured with a pat on my shoulder. I follow the sound of footsteps entering and my eyes meet the gaze of Meela. My goddess she looks beautiful. Her presence alone starts to soothe me, her wonderful laughter echoes through the hall as I lift her up into a tight embrace.

'You look incredible Meela' I gently kiss the sweet spot on her neck that will one day soon bear my mark and she groaned.

'You smell incredible too' I whisper.

'Look who's talking' she retorts 'That suit clings to you in all the right places'

A low growl escapes my lips as I plant a soft kiss on hers.

'Let's sit over here sweetie' Mara motions to one of the tables closest to the podium before turning to speak to me. 'Nial, you look very handsome' her smile reached her eyes. 'You'll both give me beautiful grand babies one day'

Meela had turned beetroot with embarrassment.

'Mom!'

Mara shrugged her shoulders apologetically as she headed towards a table. The rest of the pack started to filter in. Meela pecked a swift kiss on my cheek.

'Good luck babe, you'll be great' she smiled before joining her mother.

I was honoured to see that so many of the pack members had made an effort for tonight's ceremony. As the last of our 60 pack members took a seat, my father approached the podium.

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Tobias

Watching the pack filter into the hall reminded me of my own Alpha Ceremony, the sight of my son in his suit fills me with pride. The seats are soon filled around the beautifully decorated tables, the mothers certainly did a wonderful job. The catering staff made quick work of pouring drinks and once everyone was settled, I began the ceremony.

'Black Orion pack, thank you for joining us on this prestigious evening. As you all know, I have been training my son Nial for many years now to take over as Alpha following his 18th birthday. Now that time is upon us, so I'd like you all to welcome Elder Carson to officiate the ceremony.'

The pack applaud politely as Elder Carson joined me at the podium.

'Nial, please stand facing your father'

My son turned and took a step towards me, he was almost as tall as me but not quite as muscular yet.

'Tobias Black, Alpha of the Black Orion Pack. Do you relinquish all Alpha power and control over to Nial Black?'

The pack was silent.

'I, Alpha Tobia Black relinquish all Alpha power and control over to my son, Nial Black'

My wife, Deena dabbed a tissue to her eye.

'Do you Nial Black, vow to serve and protect as the Alpha of the Black Orion pack? Do you accept the Alpha power and control bestowed on you by Tobias Black?'

Nial cleared his throat nervously.

'I, Nial Black vow to serve and protect as the Alpha of the Black Orion pack. I accept the Alpha power and control bestowed on me by Tobias Black'

We all watched intently as Elder Carson gave thanks to the Moon Goddess and blessed the chalice of wine that he then handed to Nial.

'As you drink from the chalice you shall feel the power flow through into you'

The Alpha power drained from my body as Nial steadily consumed the wine. The commanding aura that once surrounded me now buzzed around my son. The pack erupted in applause as I shook my son's hand.

'Alpha Nial, they're all yours now buddy'

'Thanks Dad' he grinned like that cat that got the cream. He stood at the podium and the pack fell silent.

'I promise to always be the best Alpha I can be, a fair Alpha, an approachable Alpha and a strong Alpha. Now who's ready for some food because I'm starving?'

Laughter echoed throughout the hall as we made our way to the table.

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Meela

A sense of pride washes over me as Nial is sworn is as Alpha. He looks so damn sexy in his dark blue suit. He winks at me as he takes a seat next to his mother at the table across from us. The catering staff bring out the food, the pack devours the feast as a light chatter can be heard throughout the hall. Members of the pack pay their respects to their new Alpha throughout the evening and Nial politely indulges them in conversation. He finds a moment to escape and wanders over to me, taking a seat in the chair that was once occupied by my mother who is now happily chatting to Deena.

'Have I told you how beautiful you look tonight?' he leaned in close and whispered in my ear. The heat radiated from my face.

'You don't look too bad yourself' I teased. His lips sent shivers down my spine as he placed a gentle kiss on the sweet spot on my neck that may one day bear his mark. An eery feeling like we were being watched surrounded me as I sat back in my chair. Anxiously casting my eyes around the room.

'What's wrong?' Nial asked softly.

My eyes landed on a discontented Lana.

'We're being watched by Lana, if looks could kill I'd have died ten times over' I muttered, uncomfortably.

Lana averted her gaze as Nial turned in his seat.

'We'll have to speak to her at some point' he sighed, turning back to me, wiping away a stray tear on my cheek that I hadn't realised had fallen.

Hearing a chair scrape along the wooden floor, everyone turned to witness Lana storm off out of the hall.