The Fated

Chapter Eleven

NOVA

Confusion takes over me. Maverick’s our future Beta? My head is spinning, how could this be? That will obviously make me Beta female, an honour anyone in the Beach Moon pack would be thrilled to have, but then… who will be our Alpha? Will we even have a Luna? Hushed murmurs are passed amongst the crowd. Scattered applause begins and quickly the entire pack is cheering and applauding although confusion can still be seen on most pack members’ faces. Maverick takes his place next to me once more, reaches over and gives my hand a tight squeeze. Using the language, he sends me a message.

What a relief.

Before I can answer...

“Nova Solara!”

I am the last to be called. Everyone is obviously wondering what is about to happen. Three rankings left, Alpha, Luna and Beta female… which will be mine? What will happen to the other two unfulfilled roles? I steal one last glance at Maverick and see that his shoulders have visibly loosened and he seems genuinely reassured. With that, I gather my courage and walk over to the podium.

Nova Solara, daughter of Alpha Oren Solara and Luna Farrah Solara of the Beach Moon Pack...please step forward, draw blood and speak your vows.

I follow the steps of the Ceremony, cut my palm and hold out my fist above the bowl. As I prepare to speak my vows, I hear Elder Connaugh addresses me directly: Your vows will be different, repeat after me…

I repeat the words, sentence by sentence, exactly as they are being spoken inside my head.

I, Nova Solara, vow to abide by the laws set forth by the Elder Council and promise to provide every Beach Moon Pack member with food, shelter and security for all my days to come.

I vow to lead with integrity, equality, and respect.

I vow to always put the needs of the Beach Moon Pack above my own.

I vow never to intentionally cause harm, injury, loss or pain onto any and all Beach Moon pack members.

I, Nova Solara, vow to lead my pack with honesty, bravery, loyalty and compassion, now and for the rest of my existence.

The crowd begins to speak excitedly. The Elders broadcast the final ranking of the evening…

Welcome and congratulations, Nova Solara, Future Alpha and Luna of the Beach Moon Pack.

Everyone in the crowd begins to yell and cheer. Fists thrown into the air, people whistle and howl from their seats, a thunderous applause beats out.

I am in shock. I'm sure I must look like a zombie as I make my way off the podium into the massive crowd of wolves before me. The Ceremony is officially over, we have all met our wolves, shifted and learned our ranks and titles.

I am officially the next Alpha and Luna of the Beach Moon pack.

Everyone begins to find their families and mates in the crowd. Soon we will all celebrate with a reception. Now that we are all eighteen, we can drink legally amongst the pack, and there is always a huge party with alcohol, food and dancing after the Wolving Ceremony each year.

My parents spot me in the crowd and both rush over to crush me rather than hug me.

"Nova! My sweet baby girl! This is a monumental moment in Beach Moon history! An Alpha's daughter, becoming not only an Alpha herself, but that of the Luna as well! This is amazing, hon." Mom is crying tears of joy, squeezing me so tight I can barely breathe.

"You're actually hurting me a little, Mom," I wheeze out.

"Oh!" Mom releases her grip on me and steps back, still beaming with pride. "Sorry honey, I'm just so incredibly excited! My own daughter, our future Alpha!"

Dad steps up and tries to mess up my hair playfully. It immediately falls back into perfect waves.

"Looks like you and I will be spending a lot of time together, along with your mate and Beta," Dad can't hide the pride and excitement he is also feeling. He and mother look like the happiest people on Earth. "Speaking of our future Beta…" Dad's eyebrows raise ever so slightly as he fixes his gaze on the person behind me.

I turn around just in time to see Maverick rushing over and leaning forward to wrap me in a giant hug. He grabs me, lifting me up and spins me around. My arms tightly squeeze around his neck as I bring my face down and press my lips firmly onto his. He deepens the kiss, setting me down onto my feet and pressing his right hand onto the base of my back, pulling me to him as his lips part gently causing my whole body to warm. His taste overwhelms my senses.

Breathless, we stop just as suddenly as we started, keeping our foreheads pressed together.

"I'm so happy you still love me," I whisper back.

Maverick pulls back and stares into my eyes. "Why wouldn't I?"

"Because I thought you’d be Alpha, and I’d be your Luna. Somehow, I ended up as both, leaving you to be the only Beta. What makes me so special? I would have been just as happy to become Beta female..." I try to wrap my head around what just happened.

"Nova, you have no idea the power and strength you carry. If anyone could handle both roles, it's you. I’m not like you, I dreaded the idea of becoming Alpha. My whole life, I prepared myself to take on the Beta role and honour my parents. My dream is coming true, and not only that, but I finally have you as my mate. My amazing, beautiful, influential, powerful mate is the Alpha and Luna of our pack. Nothing could make me happier. You deserve this, Nova. The Moon Goddess doesn't make mistakes. She chose you because you were meant to be the Alpha of this Pack."

Maverick knows exactly what to say to make me feel better. He always has. Even though I still can't fully believe that I am the right person for these roles, I am honoured to have them and I will do whatever it takes to prepare myself. I want to lead this pack the way my parents do. With Maverick by my side, I know this is possible.

“Thank you, Mav.”

His giant hand squeezes mine gently. Everyone is headed to the garden terrace to feast, drink and party. Without hesitation, we join the crowd and file from the courtyard to the terrace. This part of the night is designated only to the wolves aged eighteen and up, so there is much less of the pack remaining. There are four rows of buffet tables to one end, a huge seating area with tables seating ten chairs each. In the center lies a massive tent which holds a bar inside and a dancefloor. Outside the tent are horseshoe rings and some other lawn game I don’t recognize, a lounging area next to the koi pond and the orchard off in the distance across from the buffet area. There is an enormous table reserved for the Alpha, Beta and Gamma families where our parents, siblings and friends are already getting seated with their plates of food. Maverick and I quickly head over to the buffet area.

“Let me fill your plate,” Maverick offers.

“What? Why?” I laugh.

“Because I know exactly what dishes you’ll want, watch me.”

I shake my head, letting out another chuckle. “Okay sure, but you’re a freak.”

“Freaky for you, that is. Come on, this is like one of those tests you see couples take online to see how well they know each other.” Maverick replies. He wears a cocky grin, always so competitive. He knows me better than I know myself, being best friends is making us even better mates. He knows he's going to pass this little test.

As planned, he aces it. Every dish we passed that I would have helped myself to, he puts a little onto my plate. As we walk over to where our family sits, I can’t stop laughing at Maverick’s reaction to nailing this dumb test he came up with. It was something so small but in the moment he was so determined to prove himself. I couldn’t help but feel charmed.

“Score of 100%, right?” Maverick smiles gleefully.

“You bet, baby. Nailed it. It’s almost as if you set yourself up for success…” I taunt playfully.

“Maybe so, but I still passed.”

Reaching the table, Maverick and I pull out the two chairs next to Blair and Mira. Everyone chatters excitedly during dinner, enjoying the best food and the excellent company. Once we are adequately feasted, everyone stands from the table. My parents signal me over to see them a few chairs down from where Maverick and I sat.

“You’re mother and I have some last minute stuff to finish up in the office. This is your first official night as an adult, but it is also your first official night as the future Alpha of this pack. Just something to keep in mind when you are having fun tonight.” Dad gives me a small serious nod before both parents give me a hug and make their way back to the packhouse. I turn and walk back to where Blair, Mira and Maverick are standing. Mira wears an expression of pure excitement while Maverick looks completely within his element, but...

Blair catches my attention; he grins wickedly with anticipation.

“Who’s ready to f*cking party, gang?”

Moon Goddess above, give me strength to survive a night of drinking with Blair and my mate.