The secrets of the shadow pack

Chapter 9

Alpha Raine

"Raine, the sun will be setting soon. Everyone is seated, ready and waiting for you. We should get started," Malcolm, our Beta, tells me. I nod. "I will go get my siblings and will meet you out front." I sent Rossy to her room hours ago. I texted her asking her to have our baby brother, Raze, ready.

I knock on her door. "Rossy, come on. Everyone is waiting on you." She pulls her door open and stands there, holding Raze. His little hands reach for me. I take him from her, and my heart sinks at her face. "Did she do something else to you?" My grandmother better not have come back here. She shakes her head.

"But this is real, Raine. Our mother is dead. We don't have parents. We are orphans now, Raine. What are we going to do?" I pull her in for a hug. "We have each other, and we are going to keep pushing, Rossy. Mom would want us to make this pack what she wanted it to be. " She nods. "I know, but what about him? You and I lost our mom, yes, but Raze lost his mommy, Raine. He is a baby. What's going to happen to him? How are we going to raise a baby? Grandma could barely take care of him when mom was busy. We can't dump him on her," I look at my baby brother and my heart melts into 1000 pieces. He needs parents. "It's us 3 against the world, Rossy. We are both going to have to step up a lot. Not just for Raze, but for the pack and each other.

Listen to me, Rossy. Malcolm and Salvador were helping me go through some paperwork earlier, and apparently, dad owed a lot of money to a lot of people. I am still digging, and I think there's a lot more. I am afraid other packs will come to collect." She squeezes my arm. "I'm not sure how bad it is yet, but I know I will have to get a job. I need to figure out other ways to make money, outside the pack, while working every money-making opportunity inside the pack as well." Her face lights up. "I know mom's jam recipes. I can continue making them and taking them to the same human towns to sell. Maybe I can figure out what we need to get them in their supermarkets?" I nearly drop Raze with the big squeeze I give her.

"I don't know why mom never thought of getting them in supermarkets, but she did always call you a genius." She smiles. "It was mom's favorite hobby. She never cared about the money, but we need it. I promise I will help you, Raine. We will pay everyone back, until the pack is debt free, and we will train and become the strongest. You will be on top. No-one will ever see it coming because dad was so weak, but you are not weak." Rosslyn is my biggest hype man. "Lets go make me the Alpha guys."

I stand and look out at my pack. The elders and the highest priestess start the ceremony. It is fast, as we don't have time for more. I feel the surge of energy shift as soon as the highest priestess slices my wrist. We shake hands before our hands combined drip blood into a red cup. She takes a sip, before she hands it to me and I take the last sip.

"MidNight Pack, please help me welcome your new leader. Alpha Raine," I watch the pack erupt in cheers. Even though everyone is mourning their Alpha and Luna, they are here and welcoming me with open arms. There is no better feeling than this. I look at my siblings and my sister blows me a kiss. I will do my best for them.

"If you are 18 and over, please join me in my Alpha run." I shift and take off, and those who are able to shift, run behind me. I don't go far, just 5 miles east. "Stay alert, and let me know if you see anything off." I link the pack.

Rosslyn

"Rossy, do you need any help with the funeral?" Jacob asks me. I shake my head. "I don't like seeing you so sad. Cuss me out or something," I smile. "That's all I get?" I nod. "We are never going to see her again, Jake." He gives me an awkward side hug. Jacob doesn't like people touching him. He once told me and Raine that it feels gross when people touch him. He has a thing with skin and germs, so I am surprised he even leaned in for this awkward hug.

"I know, and I know it doesn't make you feel better right now, but you can borrow my mom whenever you want. I'm not saying she will replace your mom. No-one will ever replace the Luna, but my mom loves you guys, and she always wanted a daughter. You know that, and she's the best, so if you need a second mom, or woman's advice, or a friend, whatever you may need, my mom is there for you." I nod.

"That is the nicest thing you have ever said to me, Jake. You must really love me. Thank you. You are the best, annoying, extra big brother I could ever ask for." I go in for a hug, and surprisingly, he allows it, and he even melts into it. Only for about 5 seconds before he pushes me off.

"That is enough," I smile, because he will probably freak if I laugh. "Thank you, Jacob, really." I sit here and tell him that I will need to get a job, and to tell me if he hears of any opening. I also tell him I need him to collect strawberries for me the day after tomorrow. I don't really feel up to visiting the place my mom was murdered, but I plan on starting up our jam business again once mom is buried. I will need to stay busy and keep my mind occupied, and I think that between school, raising Raze, training, and the jam business will do just that for me.

Slowly, the pack members come to say bye to us. They all offer their condolences, and nearly every older pack member tells us how we are not alone, and how they will all be looking out for us. I won't lie. That feels amazing. Everyone had beautiful things to say about my mother, and so many people complimented the obituary I made. It feels great that people recognize my hard work.

"Wow, everyone came out to welcome you. The pack accepts you easily. I worried about your father's betrayal, but you being so open about it is actually what convinced everyone that you are worthy of the title. You treat everyone equally, and you made no excuses for your father. I can't say the same for your grandparents, but you are already better leaders than those before." The highest priestess turns to me. "You too, Rosslyn. You will not be the Alpha for this pack, but so many big and great things are coming for you. You are meant to be somewhere not too far away, but for now, helping Raine lead this pack will put you in a great position for greatness one day, and you three, together, along with your people will rule the world." Raine smiles brightly, and that makes me smile. Finally, some good news.

"I can't wait to show the world the greatness that is coming from our pack."