Awaited Mate

Tradition

---Scarlet POV---

“Poppy, remember the meeting today. It’s important that we confirm and clarify the minor details of everyone’s responsibilities as soon as possible.”

“Okay, Daddy. I just finished breakfast, so I’ll go complete my pack duties and be back in time for the meeting.”

My dad nodded in approval. As the Alpha’s daughter, I had a few duties to complete for the pack. I headed to my mother’s office on the top floor of the pack house—the level where all the leadership offices were located. My dad’s office, the Alpha’s, was at the far end to the right. Beside his was my mum’s, the Luna’s office. On the left-hand side, opposite my dad’s office, was the current Beta’s office—Wyatt’s dad, Tony Moreno. Next to his office was the Beta Female’s office, Wyatt’s mum, Caro Moreno. Closer to the entrance on the left was the Gamma’s office—Kyle’s dad, Earl Lowe—and beside his, the Gamma Female’s office, Nara Lowe. Each floor of the pack house was huge, and every leadership office was gigantic—my dad’s being the largest.

I usually used my mum’s office to get my own work done. I walked in and saw the large mahogany table facing the floor-to-ceiling window, with an incredibly comfortable leather office chair behind it. Bookshelves lined both sides of the room, and file cabinets stood beside the door. My mum, like everything else she handled, kept the space immaculate.

I sat in her chair and powered up my laptop. It was my duty to ensure the pack’s accounting books were up to date. I started going through the bills left for me in the drawer. It was tedious busywork—but I loved it.

An hour later, I was done. The books were current, and it was time for the meeting in my dad’s office. Since everyone was either stepping into or stepping down from their leadership roles, the entire pack leadership was required to attend.

That included my parents, Liam, Tony and Caro, Wyatt and Sabrina, Earl and Nara, and Kyle. What I didn’t understand was why I needed to be there. Still, I didn’t usually question my dad. I just did what he asked.

I walked into my dad’s office and, of course, everyone was already there. Trust them all to be early when I had actual work to do. Still, I wasn’t late—the clock read 9:00 a.m. I was exactly on time.

“Now that Scarlet’s joined us, let’s begin,” my dad said. “Vera, have all the preparations for the ceremony been handled?”

“The feast is being prepared as we speak. The decorations and stage are set, and the attire clothes for both Liam and Scar is ready in their rooms.”

“Good… good. Tony, Caro—updates from you?”

“Alpha,” Aunt Caro replied, “as you can see, all invitations were sent out, and everyone RSVP’d yes. The Golden Chalice from the King arrived last week with Tony, and the attire for Wyatt and Sabrina is also ready in their rooms.”

“Excellent. Tony, did you have any issues getting the Chalice here? I heard the Half-Moon Pack is also having their Alpha ceremony soon.”

“No issues, Alpha,” Tony said. “I spoke to Beta Darren of the Half-Moon Pack. They’re planning their ceremony in about two weeks. So we agreed the Chalice would come here first. I’ll hand it to Darren after our ceremony, and he’ll ensure it returns to the King.”

They kept going back and forth like that for a while. Honestly, I was bored. I hadn’t done anything to prepare for the ceremony, and I didn’t have any updates to share. I still didn’t get why I am needed to be there.

Then, my dad turned to me.

“Poppy,” he said, “it is one of our traditions for the Alpha’s sister to complete her first shift alongside the new Alpha after the ceremony. After that, you’ll join the pack run to strengthen the bond with the members. Until you or Liam find your mate, you will serve as acting Luna and take on the responsibilities of the position. Do you understand?”

Now that was news. I had no idea I was expected to do that. Sure, my mum had trained me in Luna duties for as long as I could remember—but I always assumed it was in case I was mated to an Alpha, not because I’d have to step in for my brother’s Luna.

I was still processing this when Carly, my wolf, stirred awake.

“Scar, we cannot shift with your brother.”

“What do you mean? If it’s tradition, I don’t think we have a choice.”

“You need to talk to the Alpha and explain. We have to shift when our mate is ready to shift.”

“Carly, that’s madness. We don’t even know who or where he is!”

“We’ll know when it’s time. His wolf—my mate—will connect with me subconsciously when we’re ready to shift.”

“You’re not going to tell me why this is, are you?”

“I actually don’t know. The Moon Goddess told me: we must shift when our mate does. He’ll connect with me when the time is right. If it happens today, great. But if it doesn’t—we can’t shift. It’s of the utmost importance. Our shift will be instantaneous, unlike others.”

“You mean I won’t even know when it’s going to happen?”

“Exactly. Talk to the Alpha. We NEED to shift with our mate.”

I took a deep breath. “Dad,” I said, hesitating just a little, “I need to speak with you about something important. Can we delay the discussion about me shifting for a bit? I’d like a private audience.”

My dad looked confused but nodded. I didn’t want anyone but my immediate family around when I told them this. Judging by the strange looks I was getting, everyone else was already wondering what was going on.

The meeting continued for a few more minutes before being adjourned. Everyone filed out, except my dad, my brother, and my mother.

I knew they’d understand what I meant by “private.”