The Warrior Queen

The ceremony

“Fuckity, f**k, f**k!” on repeat. That was the only thing going on through Dean’s head.

Like an annoying nursery rhyme, but with wildly inappropriate lyrics. What the f**k was he going to do? His father’s speech was almost over, and afterwards, everybody was supposed to take off their nice clothes, shift into their stupid wolf and run together, following HIS lead, to complete the ceremony of handing over the power to the new Alpha.

“Well, I’m always down to strip naked in front of a bunch of strangers. That should be so much fun. Except, they’ll only be naked for a few seconds, until they shift, and I’ll still stand here, like an i***t, d**k in hand. f*****g literally!

Think, Dean! Think! Fuckity, f**k, f**k!

I had to come clean. It was the only way to get out of exposing myself to the whole pack, but how? How did I let it get so far? Why didn’t I tell them sooner? Like the evening I came back.”

And the little annoying voice in his head was so eager to respond: because you’re a proud motherfucker who can’t bear the thought of being weak and exposed. And as always, you hoped that something will happen that will save your ass.

The pit in his stomach grew, his hands started shaking and he couldn’t hear a single thing over the thumping of his own pulse ringing in his ears. He was gonna barf and he needed to get out of there while his eyes still worked, or he was gonna make a fool of himself. His breathing became shallow, vision blurry and the whole place started spinning.

“Need to ground myself” he thought, but there was nothing he could hold on to. Not now, not when the panic started taking over. “Breathe, just like you learned in therapy. Breathe. In and out. In and out.” His feet weren’t listening to him anymore, he turned around, trying to run somewhere, anywhere, when he felt a strong hand land on his shoulder. The impact was what he needed to snap out of the void that his panic attack put him in, and his eyes started focusing again. Behind him stood his future Beta, Thane. The only one from the pack, except his parents, that he kept in contact with the years he was away. Not because he necessarily wanted to, but because Thane was a persistent fucker that would call and text him constantly, until he realised that the guy is not that bad, so, they maintained a sort of friendship, based on banter and insults.

Now, Thane’s hand was clasped firmly on his shoulder, squeezing him painfully, and grounding him in place. He leaned forward, casually, like he was talking to the future Alpha about the ceremony and preparations, and whispered in Dean’s ear:

“Where do you think you’re going, b***h? Your little panic attack isn’t going to ruin my chances of becoming your Beta. I worked way too hard for this.”

Dean almost laughed, and that snapped him out for good. He whispered back to Thane:

“Is that any way to talk to your Alpha, cocksucker?”

“You’re not my Alpha, yet. And until you are, I can talk to you however I want, assface.”

That did it. He was back. He looked back at Thane and smiled, receiving a grin from him. It was his way of saying “Thank you”, and it was enough. But, the problem remained, because not even his future Beta knew about his predicament. It was hilarious actually, in a panic attack-y sort of way, and Dean literally had to stifle a giggle, masking it as a cough.

He imagined starting his speech after his father was done, with:

“Hi, guys! I lost my wolf! He is not aggressive and will stay for pets and treats. Responds to the name Storm. A reward is offered for his safe return.”

He giggled to himself, but focused just enough to hear his father say "Thank you all for being here, on this very special ocasion. Food and drinks will be served in the pack house, for everybody. Unfortunately, we still have some details to iron out, so the pack run will not be completed today."

Every eye in the crowd was set on him, almost like they could feel he was an imposter, but he didn't care right now! He had an escape, and everybody be damned, he could kiss his father on the mouth for providing him with one. Now, time was his ally, and all he had to do was find a way to get Storm to come back. Maybe contact a witch, or something, who cared? That was a problem for tomorrow's Dean. Today's Dean wanted a stiff drink to celebrate his so, so narrow escape and his c**k sucked by the feisty shewolf hiding in his room.

As everybody made their way to the giant pack house, Dean lingered behind. He was ecstatic, of course, but thoughts were racing through his mind, like bees in a hive: Why? Why did his father postpone the ceremony? It was very unusual, if not completely unheard of. Was something wrong? Well, of course there was something wrong, but his father didn't know that. Or, did he?

A giant hand landed on his shoulder again, and a deep voice bellowed right in his ear:

- You're still not my Alpha, douche! I can still toss you around for a while.

- Thane, the only thing more annoying than your voice is your presence. And there is such a thing as revenge, you know that, right?

A deep laugh rumbled in Thane's chest.

- You love me too much for that, pretty boy. Now why are you all the way out here by your lonesome?

- Hey, did my father seem....ok to you?

- Oh, you mean because he cancelled the pack run and didn't officially transfer his power to you? Maybe he realised that his cunt of a son still has a lot of growing up to do, know what I'm saying?

- Go f**k yourself with a lamp post, but yeah. Why did he do that?

- I don't know man. I'm being serious now, I really don't know. Everybody was....unpleasantly surprised, to say the least.

Dean sighed.

- Yeah, I got that feeling too.

He stopped for a second. This was hard to talk about with anyone, but his future Beta was the only one that knew.

- Do you think my father saw me having that...moment?

- No, man. On the outside you looked cold as stone and almost bored with it all. The only way I realised what was going on was when you turned and slammed into me. I literally heard your heart beating so fast, like it was trying to break your ribs. Do you still get them often?

- No, not really, Dean responded coldly, and just like that, Thane knew that the door to this subject was closed.

The future Alpha was an enigma, Thane thought.You could only see what he wanted to show you at a given time. Everything else was closed off, safe and secure, behind his green eyes. No emotion, no passion, no interest. Just like a statue: cold and lifeless. Was he the right choice to lead the pack?

They walked in silence the rest of the way, together but separate, each one lost in thought. At the pack house, Dean took the back entry and headed straight to his bedroom. He needed to release the tension and knew just the way to do it.