His Unforeseen Luna

Alpha Ceremony

(Max)

I feel myself thrashing, but I can’t tell what is going on. I lifted up my head and felt blood streaming from my mouth. I looked down in horror. In a pool of blood I see Brandy, in wolf form, what is happening. I looked around me, while shifting back into human form. It’s all fuzzy, I just see a figure in front of me. I wipe my mouth as it draws near, my legs won’t move as I struggle with no success.The figure in front of me stops, it points past me. I follow the direction and see a light, my legs start working as I follow it. I find myself in a garden all covered in grass and flowers. I stopped, puzzled as to what was going on. Why did I kill Brandy? Just as that thought enters my head, I look down. My hands are once again covered in blood. I jumped back at this point, the figure came up to me as it spoke:

The path covered in blood can only lead to death, for where there is dark, there must be light.

My face was flushed, those icy words felt as if they had pierced into my soul. Was it referring to me? I killed Brandy, so I am the darkness? I knelt on the ground with my hands in my hair, the world started spinning. I felt my heartbeat racing, I couldn’t calm myself down. I instantly was pulled out as I heard a noise, it sounded like a knocking.

All at once, I shot outta bed, covered in sweat. I looked at my body, slowly analyzing. No blood, no, just a dream. I was still breathing heavily when I got outta bed, knocking was still coming from my door. I opened the door to see my mother in the hallway. She gave me a wary look.

“Now, Max, what you do in your free time is your own business, but I would think you would at least wait until after the big ceremony to participate in lucrative activities.” I look at my mother with a puzzled look, then I remember I am still sweating. My eyes go wide as I look back up at her, she thinks I was having s*x! “No no it wasn’t like that I swear.” I try to explain but am hushed, as she raises a hand in dismissal. “Never mind that, we have guests coming in an hour and I need everyone presentable.” She hands me a pile of clothes, I didn’t even see them. “Now please, I just got these ironed so finish up your activities before putting them on.” My mother says as she is trying to look over my shoulder, before striding away. I closed the door behind me, appalled at myself. My mother thinks I am a freak.

I hop in the shower to clear my head, trying to decipher my dream. Where there is dark, there must be light. I can’t seem to make sense of it. I remember in school learning about yin and yang, how one needs the other to thrive in balance. I let the water fall on my skin as I think, later I’ll go to the library to check out my hunch.

I hop out of the shower and give my face a quick shave. I like my shadow but I decide against it. I get dressed and look in the mirror, goddess I hope I’m ready.

Downstairs is a jungle, so many people are going in different directions. Everyone is making last-minute preparations before the guests arrive. I looked around and spotted Brandy. She looks a little sad as she is setting up the dining table. I went up to her offering a hand.

I approached her while carrying some extra chairs, hoping to offer a hand. “Where can I put these?” I said to try to intervene before it could become awkward. She barely looks at me, while scanning the table. “Umm can you put them at the end over here please, then grab five more.” She points and resumes what she’s doing, she definitely seems off. I do as I’m told while trying to make casual conversation. Our conversations are short, but I pretend not to notice.

Brandy takes a long sigh, and looks at me. “Why didn’t you tell me my pack wasn’t going to come here today, after everything I would have thought I was entitled to at least know.” My eyes go wide as I become speechless, I see her staring at me as I feel a lump in my throat. With an unknown threat surrounding us, we need all the help we can get. With all of our head warriors here today, we cannot properly secure the perimeter. I have to be careful since I cannot explain all of this to Brandy. I tried to think about what to say.

“Alpha Shadow and I had a discussion with Alpha Asher, Brodie, and Taylor. We reached out to our ally pack, which happened to be Silver Fox, and asked for assistance. Alpha Asher did not hesitate to help us.” I saw Brandy’s face fall, I probably could have worded that a bit better. I take a step forward to try and comfort her, she puts her hands up and takes a step back. “I get it, as an Alpha the pack comes first, as it should, Alpha Shadow was right to ask their allies for help.” She says as turning around and walks off, part of me wishes I could tell her the whole truth. I had no time to wallow, as I was approached by my dad.

“Max, our guests are about to arrive, let's gather your mother and await them by the door.” My dad says as he pats me on the back. I followed him as we heard the front door.

One by one, we start welcoming the Alphas from other packs, accompanied by their Luna. I must have shook hundreds of hands before I heard Clank Clank. My mother is holding up a wine flute, standing in the center of the room. “We are all so honored you could be here with us today to celebrate our Son.” My mom says as she points to me, to which I wave as everyone gives a small clap. “We would like to welcome you all into the dining room, we have some refreshments before departing outside.” We all gather in the dining room while eating and creating small talk, since being Alpha soon I have to familiarize myself with the fellow packs.

I get into discussing with some fellow Alphas and their Omegas about packing stuff, which is in turn something I already am good at. “Yes, I believe with the revenue from our new stock shares, we can start expanding out of the country.” Alpha Stan says as he raises his glass, they are our allies from the North. While chatting, I see his Luna (Marcy) look in my direction. “Sorry to interrupt business, but Alpha Max, I have not heard anything, but I must know. Has there been any word about a Luna?” I looked at her, trying while taking a small sip of my wine. I did not know how to answer her question. Typically, one does not become Alpha until they have found their mates. It does happen, but not often. I looked at her, trying to make light of the situation. “I have not yet, but I am willing to wait until I can find something as special as my parents.” I said while being very impressed with my appearance. I see them both give a soft smile and continue eating. So we aren’t telling anyone about Brandy? - General says as a jab. Will you grow up, there is nothing going on with Brandy - I growl back at him. After that, I notice Brandy is nowhere to be seen. Why haven’t I seen her?

After everyone is done eating, they are motioned outside. The yard was set up in a gazebo style, covered in flowers. My mother and Brandy really outdid themselves. I look and see all of my pack members start to gather as well. I see my mother and father get up on stage, and Alpha Shadow starts to raise a glass. “When I found out I was having a boy, I was overjoyed, yet scared, not knowing what the heck I was doing.” The crowd started laughing, oh goddess he was such a likable man. “I know I have done the best I can do for him and this pack, now it is his turn to prove me right.” He pointed to me while still having his glass raised, the crowd started cheering as I walked over.

I walked up on the stage, feeling my heart racing. I can hear the General freaking out, he is whining as the nerves are building. I reach my parents, pulling them into a hug, “you got this son.” My dad says as he hugs me, I wanted to cry there and then. I turned to see the elders of our pack, holding a book. Elders are founded from Omegas and sometimes past Alphas, they are the rulemakers of every pack. The elderly are also the only ones who can indict you as Alpha, so it is a very big deal. I place my hand on the book as one of the elders steps forward, he begins to speak.

“By becoming the next Alpha of the Blue Moon pack, you are promising to uphold wolf law, and execute as done by your ancestors before you. You should put this pack above all else as you are dedicating your life to this pack's well being. Promising to aid your allies when a threat calls, and giving your life for this pack if necessary. If accepted, you agree with all of these terms, as many before you did, however. Failure to maintain these acts, they face being banished or imprisoned forever.”

Before answering, I looked into the crowd. Feeling sure of myself for the first time in my life, knowing this is my destiny. “I accept,” I said with a firm voice, looking directly at the elders. All at once, there is a gust of wind from underneath us, roaring into the sky. “Ladies and Gentlemen, I give you Alpha Max of the Blue Moon pack.” The elder says as, holding my hand up, the crowd starts howling. I look out as I see all the excitement, I scan the crowd and suddenly smile. I looked and saw Brandy, giving me a big smile and clapping her hands.