Against the Black

Chapter 2 - Current day

“Roxy, I swear to the goddess if you’re late to your own Alpha ceremony, I’ll keep the title for another year!” Lenore yells from the bottom of the stairs. I walk calmly from my room and toward the landing at the top of the stairs.

“No, you won’t, and we both know it. And I can’t be late if it’s my party.” I stop at the top of the stairs, looking down at my mother. Her long ash brown hair is tied in a braid down the right side of her face. The gray strands weaving their way through her braid, adding charm to her already stunning image. Even from the bottom of the stares, her unamused expression shines like a beacon. She looked ready to argue, but stopped suddenly before her face lit up.

“Oh honey! You look amazing!” Her voice gains an octave, and I can see her eyes brimming with tears.

“Oh mom, don’t cry. If you cry, I’ll cry, and I just finished my mascara.” I take the stairs two at a time and hug her. She squeezes my shoulders tight before pushing back to meet my eyes.

“You look stunning. Obsidian Falls is going to have the most stunning Alpha in all the land.” She waves her hand in a flourish and we giggle.

“Damn girl! You lookin’ good!” Babs calls from behind and I turn to face her. I offer a little curtsey and a wink. “Well, give us a spin. I need to see all the perfection that is you.” She waves her hands in the air, making a spinning motion, and I oblige.

The black satin dress falls softly down my frame. It ties around my neck and wraps in a thin soft wave down my body with the back open, showing midway down my back. The satin catches the breeze as I walk, creating an ethereal effect. I picked this dress because I thought it would be something the goddess Selene would wear. The fabric feels like butterfly kisses across my bare skin underneath. If I hadn’t dressed myself, I could be tricked into thinking I wasn’t wearing anything at all.

“You look incredible. But I really will keep my title if you don’t get a move on!” My mother smacks my butt, making me yelp.

“Hey! You’re the one who got all weepy and wasted time.” I stick my tongue out at her and she returns the gesture. “Where’s Lenny and Vera?” I turn to Babs.

“They’re already at the lake making sure everything is set up.” She turns to follow my mom out the door and I finally notice what she’s wearing. She has dressed up in a feminine black business suit with a silk aqua blue shirt underneath and barefoot for the ceremony. Though I notice she painted her toes an aqua blue to match her blouse.

We leave the pack house and walk toward the edge of the lake where the ceremony is being held. There is a lone stone pedestal with a silver bowl sitting on top and a fire burning inside. The pack members who have gathered already are dropping papers into the fire. On the pages, they’ve written their wishes for the reign of their new Alpha. The elders stand in a line to the left of the altar and my mom’s Beta, Gamma, and Delta stand to the right. Vera and Lenny stand off to the side and Babs walks over to join them.

I follow my mom to the altar and the crowd around us quiets. The breeze is gentle against my dress, and I can feel mist from the waterfall tickling my arms.

“Thank you all for joining us as we crown a new Alpha. Those of you who have placed your prayers into the fire. I know Selene has heard them and will bless our pack. Though you may need to pray a little harder with my daughter now taking charge.” The crowd lets out a soft chuckle and my mom turns, smiling brightly at me. I roll my eyes, but I can’t keep the grin off my face. She turns back to the crowd and speaks again, “We will begin the ceremony to pass the mantle of Alpha.” Lenore steps back and the elders walk forward to take her place.

“Do you wish to take the title of Alpha of the Obsidian Pack?” One elder speaks.

“I wish to take the title of Alpha of the Obsidian Pack.” I respond with certainty.

“Lenore Cox, Alpha of the Obsidian pack, step forward and relinquish your title.” The elder produces a blade made from Obsidian found under the waterfall. She draws the blade across my mother’s hand and holds the cut over the fire. A drop of blood falls and extinguishes the flame. The same elder speaks again,

“The goddess blesses you and approves of you relinquishing your title.” My mom steps back and the Elder motions me forward. “We will now mark you as Alpha with the ashes. From this point on, you will hold the Obsidian Falls pack in your hands.” The elder slips the blade back into her robes and dips a finger into the smoldering bowl. She marks the bridge of my nose in an X with her soot covered finger.

“You are the bridge to make our pack one.” She bows to me slightly and walks back to her spot next to the altar. The next elder, a tall skinny man, takes her place and dips his finger into the bowl. He runs the soot in a line across my cheeks.

“You are the eyes that will see our pack into a brighter future.” He steps away and is replaced by a shorter man. He draws three soot lines down my chin.

“You are the mouth of our pack. You speak to us, so let your words be encouraging. You speak for us, so let your words be true. But may our secrets never pass your lips.” The shorter man is replaced by a tall woman. She draws three dots by my ears.

“You are the ears of this pack. Listen for danger, listen to our woes, and listen to your instinct.” Another approaches and marks my forehead.

“You are the head of this pack. Contemplate what will be best for the pack and plan for our futures. While strategizing the demise of those who wish to harm us.” Another draws two lines down my arms.

“You are the sword of this pack. Protect us until your dying breath.” The last elder makes her way to me. She’s old and hunched. She places her palm into the bowl and pulls it out, covered in ash. She places it under the edge of my dress, over my heart.

“You are the heart of this pack. Your love and attention will help us grow. But if you betray us, you’ll crush us. You carry our past selves into the future with you.” She turns and addresses the crowd. “We will now pledge allegiance to our new Alpha.” The elder with the ceremonial blade returns to stand next to me. She runs the blade across my palm like she did with my mother. I hold my hand up as my mother walks toward me. The old Alpha pledging to the new Alpha. She holds the cut on her palm against mine.

“I pledge my allegiance to Alpha Roxanne Cox of the Obsidian Falls pack.” She projects her voice for the crowd to hear. Her face shines with pride. I grin right back at her as she walks away. Her Beta, Dolly, follows suit along with her Delta and Gamma. The rest of the pack line up. The Elder cut their palm before they place it against mine and reciting the pledge. As each member pledges, I feel the bond click into place. Like a puzzle linking its pieces to make an elegant image. Babs, Vera, and Lenny are the last to pledge.

“Babette Williams, do you pledge your loyalty to me and to the people of this pack as our Beta?” I ask in a loud voice.

“I pledge my allegiance and loyalty to Alpha Roxanne Cox and to the people of the Obsidian Falls pack as their Beta.” She responds, then places her palm against mine. She’s hard and determined.

“Vera Brown, do you pledge your loyalty to me and to the people of this pack as our Delta?”

“I pledge my allegiance and loyalty to Alpha Roxanne Cox and to the people of the Obsidian Falls pack as their Beta.” She places her palm against mine with a soft squeeze of her finger and a bright smile on her face.

“Lenny Bennet, do you pledge your loyalty to me and to the people of this pack as our Gamma?”

“I pledge my allegiance and loyalty to Alpha Roxanne Cox and to the people of the Obsidian Falls pack as their gamma.” She places her palm over mine and grins.

“Obsidian Falls, welcome your new Alpha!” My mother calls and the crowd cheers loud and wild.