The Last Alpha

Chapter Five - The shift

I didn't have to think about Leon touching me for long as the song soon ended.

It was just about time for Jackson to prepare for the element ceremony and his shift, the moon would be at its peak in about 30-45 minutes. So a lot of the higher-ups started to leave the room and head to the forest.

I thanked Leon for the dance and walked away, but my father approached me before I could escape this awful room.

"Thalia, I want you to witness the ceremony and Jackson's shift. I think you are ready for this and what it entails. I must warn you, it will not be pretty. Meet me in the clearing. You will stand beside me along with your brother. I need both my children united with me tonight. " Father spoke the last part quietly so only I would hear. I nodded and made my way to the clearing in the woods.

I looked around the room before heading out. The tables were being cleared and the omegas were already working their magic to clean the room. I spotted Leon, he smiled brilliantly at me, I blanked him, pretending I hadn't seen him and left the room.

I made my way out of the packhouse and over to the clearing. It took me less time than usual to arrive. When I got there, I saw people in robes and my father standing with the ceremonial blade in his hand. I went to Edward and looked at him.

"Well, this is the first of many, I suppose. I wish Mother were here." Edward spoke sadly. We both missed her, she was taken too soon. But I was sure she was watching us along with the moon goddess.

Edward passed me a robe for the ceremony. I put it on and walked to stand behind my father. Edward followed; he stood a bit closer to our father, that was his right as heir to the pack.

I watched as the remaining guests arrived. There were no more than 30 people here currently and Jackson stood at the centre, facing my father.

I recognised Council Member Lyra the moment I saw her, she noticed me too and gave me a study while, which I returned. She was quite short but had very curly dark hair and almost black eyes. I believe she was in her late 30's. She had briefly known my mother too, which made her the perfect council member to attend this evening.

We spent the next ten minutes going over what would happen next. Jackson would receive his element and shift when the moon peaked.

My father then started his ritual; he used the knife prepared earlier to slice his palm open. He walked over to the torches laid around the clearing, dropping blood into each one and letting his blood create fire. The torches were spelled centuries ago and bound to our bloodline when we came into power. This was how all high-ranking wolves received their element and approval from the Alpha.

Finally, the torches were lit. And my father returned to his place. Jackson stood in the middle of the torches; the audience around the outside. Even Jeremy kept his distance but was still close to my father.

"May your element be true to you and may you use your power to protect your pack." With my father's words, Jackson began to glow, he shone like the moon at that moment.

It was as if the power of the moon goddess was pouring through Jackson, the night seemed to glow with the light he had flowing from him.

The ground began to shake and Jackson dropped to the ground, seemingly in agony. nobody moved, we all knew this needed to happen, regardless of how much it hurt. His body was starting the shift as well; cracks in the ground started appearing around Jackson, forming a perfect circle.

He's been gifted the power over Earth.

I could see my father smiling. An Earth user would be beneficial because they have control over plants and the ground. We have very few powerful Earth users in the pack.

The light radiating off of Jackson began to dull and then we heard the cracking, that was my queue to leave. I looked at Father and he nodded to me, his approval for my leave.

I heard Jackson's screams as I left the clearing and made my way back to the pack house. Many were waiting with anticipation. Everyone wanted to know what element our future Beta was given. I looked at the small crowd, they knew I would return first, as I have no wolf, and Edward would be fine as the Alpha heir.

I looked at the expectant people and smiled at them brightly.

"Jackson, our future Beta, has been given the power of Earth! From what I just witnessed, he will be a very powerful user. May he use his gifts to defend our pack and home and strengthen his Alpha."

The crowd seemed moved by my words, they started cheering and drinking. I suppose today is a rather joyous occasion.

I returned to my room. I couldn't stand to hear Jackson's screams anymore. They soon stopped, but I doubt the sound will ever leave my mind. The pain in his voice as I walked away will haunt my dreams for a while.

I sat on my bed, pulled my dress off and my shoes. I was done for the evening anyway and I had many duties to attend to in the morning, and I felt I would have a big mess to clean. I would need to assist and direct our omegas.

I quickly showered and washed my face. I put on some pyjamas and crawled into bed. Tonight has been exhausting. I felt sorry for those that still had duties for tonight.

After a short while, I heard howls in the distance. Jackson had shifted, so that meant it was time for their celebratory run.

I walked up to my window, I could see Edward walking back, and just beyond him, I saw a big brown wolf, not as large as Father, but easily as big as Jeremy. I knew it was Jackson.

Things will officially never be the same again; today marked a new beginning for our pack.